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lord over

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

You act like you are the boss of everyone and treat people like they are below you.

Literal meaning: To act as a lord ruling over subjects.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To exercise authority or superiority over others in an arrogant, overbearing way.

"He used his family's wealth to lord over the other kids in the neighbourhood."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Functionally synonymous with 'lord it over' but slightly less idiomatic. Both are used critically of arrogant behaviour. More common in American English than 'lord it over.'

Commonly used with

others people subordinates colleagues employees

Forms

Base
lord over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lords over
he/she/it
Past simple
lorded over
yesterday
Past participle
lorded over
have + pp
-ing form
lording over
continuous

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Synonyms

lord it over boss around dominate tyrannise bully condescend to

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