law of the jungle
The phrase 'law of the jungle' originated from Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book' and is used metaphorically to describe situations of anarchy and survival of the fittest.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic, metaphorical)A situation where the strongest and most ruthless individuals succeed while the weak suffer.
Example
- In the corporate world, it's often the law of the jungle; only the toughest thrive.
B2Society
(metaphorical, sociological)A state where there are no rules or laws, leading to chaos and self-serving behavior.
Example
- Without proper regulations, the neighborhood descended into the law of the jungle.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "law of the jungle":