the fish rots from the head
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Bad leaders harm an organization.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “the fish rots from the head” mean?
Bad leaders harm an organization.
Is “the fish rots from the head” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.