chief (redirected from chiefdom)

chief cook and bottle washer

Fig. the person in charge of practically everything (such as in a very small business). I'm the chief cook and bottle washer around here. I do everything.

See also: and, bottle, cook, washer

Too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

Prov. Too many people want to be the leader, and not enough people are willing to follow to do the detail work. Everyone on that committee wants to be in charge. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. We'll never finish this project if everyone keeps trying to give orders. There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

See also: and, enough, Indian, many

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be chief cook and bottle washer  (humorous)

to be the person who is responsible for cooking meals and washing the pans and dishes It's my birthday party, so Alan is chief cook and bottle washer tonight.

See also: and, bottle, cook, washer

too many chiefs (and not enough Indians)

too many bosses, and not enough people to do the work I can't find anyone to do the photocopying. There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians in this company.

See also: many