800-pound gorilla

"800-pound gorilla" is an American English expression for an entity so powerful that it can act without regard to the rights of others or the law.^[1] The phrase is rooted in a riddle joke:

Q. Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?
A. Anywhere it wants to.

Gorillas are used in the expression "800-pound gorilla" for their intimidation, similar to a powerful entity.

This highlights the disparity of power between the gorilla and ordinary humans. 800 pounds are approximately 360 kg.

The term can describe a powerful geopolitical and military force, or, in business, a powerful corporate entity that has such a large majority percentage of whatever market they compete within that they can use that strength to crush would-be competitors. In law, the phrase occurs as a characterization of judges vs. courts; as in: "Standard/Court Rule" vs "Gorilla/Judge Rule".^[2]

The metaphor has been mixed, on occasion, with the metaphor of the elephant in the room.^[3]

See also

• Might makes right