Meaning of the word "better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion" in English
What does "better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion
US /ˈbetər bi ðə hed əv ə dɔːɡ ðæn ðə teɪl əv ə ˈlaɪən/
UK /ˈbetə bi ðə hed əv ə dɒɡ ðæn ðə teɪl əv ə ˈlaɪən/
Idiom
it is better to be the leader of a small or less prestigious group than to be a subordinate in a large or more prestigious one
Example:
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He chose to manage a small local firm rather than be a junior clerk at a global bank, believing it's better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
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I'd rather have my own tiny shop than work for a massive corporation; better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.