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食物链顶端
shíwùliàn dǐngduān
top of the food chain
人类是食物链顶端的捕食者。
Humans are apex predators at the top of the food chain.
technical
The highest level in a food chain, consisting of organisms that have no natural predators.
在海洋生态系统中，虎鲸通常位于食物链顶端。
In marine ecosystems, orcas are typically at the top of the food chain.
Used metaphorically to describe someone who holds ultimate power or control in a given context.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Metaphorical Usage
In modern Chinese, this phrase is often used figuratively to describe someone who holds dominant power in a competitive environment (e.g., business, politics). Example: '在这家公司，只有他能算是食物链顶端。'
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Metaphorical
Always clarify whether the speaker is referring to biological food chains or metaphorical power structures. Context determines meaning.
Word Origin
The term combines '食物链' (food chain, coined in the early 20th century) and '顶端' (top/apex). '食物链' is a calque from German 'Nahrungskette' (1920s ecological term).
Usage Notes
Primarily used in biological contexts but increasingly adopted in social/political discourse to describe power dynamics.
Word Breakdown
食物
food
root链
chain
root顶端
top/apex
root汉英词典