BETTER BE THE HEAD OF A DOG THAN THE TAIL OF A LION.

Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.: translation

Prov. It is better to be the leader of a less prestigious group than to be a subordinate in a more prestigious one. •

Joe: I can be the headmaster of a small secondary school, or I can be a teacher at a famous university. Which job offer do you think I should take? Nancy: Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

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A professional writing workshop had asked Bob to join, but he elected to stay with his amateur group, since he thought it better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

<03> Лучше быть головой собаки, чем хвостом льва. Смысл: лучше быть первым среди простых людей, чем последним среди знатных или богатых. Ср. Лучше быть головой кошки, чем хвостом льва.