cock of the walk

plural cocks of the walk

1. idiomaticA proud or conceited person.

   c. 19th century, J. M. Crofts (attributed), The Irish Rover With his smart witty talk He was cock of the walk And he rolled the dames under and over

   1 more example

   "That fellow was not born yesterday. He is the cock of the walk here," said Peter; "I shouldn't wonder if it is our old friend himself." Three more birds came in, and as each took up his roosting place, the old bird repeated his challenge by snapping his beak at them.

   1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 71

   Synonyms: cock of the roost, rooster