What does “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” mean?
"Too many chiefs and not enough Indians" means there are too many people giving orders and not enough people to carry them out.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The project was a disaster because there were too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
Example
The company's management structure was ineffective due to too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
Example
The team struggled to complete the task because there were too many chiefs and not enough Indians
Is “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” effectively in context?
You can use "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians" to describe a situation where there are too many people in positions of authority or giving orders, but not enough people to actually do the work. It emphasizes the imbalance between decision-makers and those responsible for executing the tasks. For example, if a project fails because there are too many managers and not enough workers, you might say, 'The project was a disaster because there were "too many chiefs and not enough Indians".'
- 1Work
The company's management structure was ineffective due to too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
- 2Teamwork
The team struggled to complete the task because there were too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
- 3Project Management
The project was a disaster because there were too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
Similar phrases to “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians”:
Top-heavy
A situation where there are too many people in higher positions compared to the number of workers or subordinates.
Example
The organization became top-heavy with managers and lacked sufficient staff to handle the workload.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians" is unknown.
Is “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians" is a common idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to criticize or highlight an organizational or leadership problem.
What tone does “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” have?
"Too many chiefs and not enough Indians" conveys a tone of frustration or criticism. It suggests that the imbalance between decision-makers and workers is causing problems or hindering progress.
Can “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians” be used in informal and formal settings?
This idiom is more commonly used in informal settings such as casual conversations or discussions among colleagues. It may not be appropriate for formal or professional contexts.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The company's management structure was ineffective due to "too many chiefs and not enough Indians".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'We have "too many chiefs and not enough Indians"!' to express frustration with a similar situation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- too many leaders and not enough followers
- too many bosses and not enough workers
- too many directors and not enough employees
- too many supervisors and not enough subordinates
Antonyms
- well-balanced team
- effective hierarchy
- proper staffing levels
