Meaning:
- The boss, the leader;
- The main comic in a burlesque show.;
- The head person, as of a group or project.;
- A top performer in show business; specif., the star comedian in a burlesque show.;
- The most important person in any group.
Examples:
- Everybody agrees that Hiya is the top banana in the office.
- Before he became the top banana he was a much friendlier and most likable person.
- For many years he was top banana on the circuit.
- I thought, what if America was no longer the top banana?
- He lost a good opportunity to become top banana.
- Requests for comment from the three other top banana producers went unanswered.
- For many years Doctor Henry Kissinger has been a top banana in American foreign policy.
- Who is the top banana here?