catbird seat
Use Catbird seat in a sentencecatbird seat
noun Informal.
an advantageous situation or condition: His appointment as acting dean put him in the catbird seat.
Origin:
1940–45, Americanism
1940–45, Americanism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To catbird seat
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
catbird seat
A situation of advantage or superiority, as in His promotion put Charles in the catbird seat. This term is thought to allude to that noisy bird's habitual high perch. It was popularized in the 1940s by sportscaster Red Barber.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
00:10
Catbird seat
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Example sentences
He who wins the catbird seat has earned sole occupancy.
We were still in the catbird seat in terms of advertising, circulation, and everything.
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