the highest branch is not the safest roost
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A coveted position of power does not guarantee safety to the holder.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
[…] the highest branch is not the safest roost. So the danger to the Dogras' position also was now the greatest.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “the highest branch is not the safest roost” mean?
A coveted position of power does not guarantee safety to the holder.
Is “the highest branch is not the safest roost” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.