Meaning of admiral of the Swiss Navy | Babel Free

Definitions

One who appears important but is not.

Examples

“When we sailed from San Francisco on the Snark I knew as much about sickness as the Admiral of the Swiss Navy knows about salt water.”

“When he came to the query, "What is your occupation?" the man of the cloth replied (facetiously, as he thought) , "Oh, I'm an admiral of the Swiss Navy."”

“Having done so, its Pyrrhic victory put its officers in positions of admirals of the Swiss Navy.”

“Portmann started as a marine biologist (as he remarked, that was rather like being admiral of the Swiss navy), and moved on to studies in comparative zoology.”

““Here comes the Admiral of the Swiss Navy,” remarked the portly, red-faced one, who then proceeded to laugh uproariously at his own wit.”

“He snorted. “President of the City Council? That's like being admiral of the Swiss Navy.””

CEFR level