800-pound gorilla American noun phrase informal
Used to show that a person, group, or organization is so powerful that it does not need to follow the rules or threats of others.
Their company is considered the 800-pound gorilla in the software industry.
Don't make him mad. He's an 800- pound gorilla.
The government is trying to control 800-pound gorillas.
She acts like an 800-pound gorilla when asking others to do what she says.
1. A person who is important, successful, or influential
2. The most recent or latest scandal or breaking news
The term comes from a joke about a riddle: "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?" [The answer: "Wherever it likes."]