absolute

absolute power corrupts absolutely

proverb One who holds unchecked power or authority is likely to become corrupt or abuse one's position. This phrase is usually attributed to 19th-century historian Lord Acton. He really started abusing the authority of his office when he was promoted to CEO. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. A: "I never should have appointed Brian head of the committee." B: "You need to call him in for a meeting before he thinks that he can do whatever he wants. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Their king isn't the first to take his power too far, and he won't be the last—absolute power corrupts absolutely.

See also: absolute, absolutely, corrupt, power

absolute unit

slang A large person or thing, especially due to being extremely overweight. Chiefly used in Internet memes, especially in the phrase In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit, or similar variations. Primarily heard in UK. Would you look at the size of the fella heading out of that pub? What an absolute unit! Some creep on Twitter shared an old photo of me with the caption, "In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit." I'm nearly four stone lighter now, for God's sake! A: "In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit." B: "Look at all the hot girls with him, though. My hats off to you, lad!"

See also: absolute, unit

be the (absolute) limit

To be a source of intense aggravation. Oh, I can't listen to that fool any longer—his idiotic questions are the limit!

See also: limit

power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

The more powerful one is, the more unscrupulous one becomes. A: "I never should have appointed him head of the committee." B: "You need to call him in for a meeting before he thinks that he can do whatever he wants. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

See also: absolute, absolutely, and, corrupt, power

the (absolute) limit

A source of intense aggravation or annoyance. Oh, I can't listen to that fool any longer—his idiotic questions are the limit! These forms the HR department makes us fill out are the absolute limit, I'm telling you!

See also: limit

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Prov. One who has total authority is very likely to abuse his position. (This phrase was used by the British historian Lord Acton: "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.") We thought that Johnson would be a responsible mayor, but within a year of taking office, he was as bad as all the rest. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

See also: absolute, absolutely, corrupt, power

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.