man on horseback
noun phrase
1
: a usually military figure whose ambitions and popularity mark him as a potential dictator
2
: dictator
Word History
First Known Use
1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1
man on horseback
phrase
as in dictator
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way Their leader was a man on horseback who didn't actually care about the people he ruled. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dictator
- tyrant
- pharaoh
- leader
- caesar
- ruler
- tyrannizer
- warlord
- king
- oppressor
- strongman
- tycoon
- prince
- overlord
- despot
- overlord
- monocrat
- monarch
- führer
- lord
- magnate
- baron
- authoritarian
- Big Brother
- chief
- paramount
- queen
- autocrat
- fuehrer
- sovereign
- totalitarian
- autarch
- dominator
- master
- caudillo
- potentate
- czar
- kingpin
- captain
- mogul
- enforcer
- boss
- discipliner
- taskmaster
- disciplinarian
- tsar
- martinet
- sovran
- tzar