sleeping giant

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

a large, powerful player that has not yet fully engaged in a market

Why this phrase?

From the 1930s line about Japan; a force that is quiet now but immense when roused.

Example

“Everyone is racing before the sleeping giant wakes up.”

Dictionary details

Component words

sleeping giant

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

800-pound gorilla Informal · CEFR C1

the biggest, most powerful player in a market, which dominates everything around it

first-mover advantage Neutral · CEFR C1

the edge a company gains by entering a market before competitors

race to the bottom Neutral · CEFR C1

a competitive spiral that drives prices, quality, or standards lower and lower

winner takes all Neutral · CEFR C1

a market dynamic in which the leading competitor captures nearly all the value

give someone a run for their money Neutral · CEFR B1

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

deep pockets Informal · CEFR B2

having a great deal of money to spend

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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