the longest pole knocks the persimmon
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Whoever has the most advantages has the best chance of success.
Register: dated
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Every official in Morocco from the Sultan down is for sale, and it is a case where the longest pole knocks the persimmon.
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 longest pole knocks the persimmon” mean?
Whoever has the most advantages has the best chance of success.
Is “the longest pole knocks the persimmon” formal or informal?
the longest pole knocks the persimmon is generally dated.