Top Banana – Meaning, Origin, Examples & IELTS Usage

Using idioms effectively in IELTS Speaking and Writing can make your responses sound more natural, confident, and fluent. The idiom “Top Banana” is especially useful when describing leadership, authority, or someone who is the most important person in a group or industry. This guide explains its meaning, origin, examples, exercises, and IELTS usage to help you use it accurately.

Meaning of “Top Banana”

Definition: A person who holds the highest rank, leadership position, or primary importance in a group, team, or industry.
Example Explanation: When someone is the “top banana,” they are the main leader or the most influential person in a particular environment.

Origin / History

The idiom dates back to the 1920s in the United States. Comedians often performed the famous “banana peel gag” to make the audience laugh. The performers who executed this gag most skillfully drew the loudest reactions. As a result, show managers began referring to their best, most important comedian as the “top banana.”

Examples of “Top Banana”

• She worked for years and finally became the top banana in her company.
• After his blockbuster film, he became the top banana in the film industry.
• In any field, you need dedication and skills to become the top banana.
• Everyone was waiting for the top banana to arrive at the event.
• After winning several awards, she is now considered the top banana in music.

Usage of “Top Banana” in IELTS Speaking

Here are some natural sentences you can use:

• “In my office, the top banana is a very approachable and supportive manager.”
• “Every industry has a few top bananas who influence trends and decisions.”
• “I think becoming the top banana requires a mix of talent, hard work, and leadership.”

Pro Tip: Use this idiom in IELTS Speaking Part 2 or IELTS Speaking Part 3 when discussing success, leadership, career achievements, or influential people.

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer Using “Top Banana”

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a Successful Person You Admire

One person I really admire is the CEO of a major tech company in my country. She started her career as a software engineer and gradually worked her way up. Today, she is considered the top banana in the tech industry because of her innovative ideas and strong leadership. I admire her because she remains humble despite her success and often encourages young people to pursue technology. Her journey inspires me to work hard and aim high in my own career.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Meaning

Choose the correct meaning of “Top Banana” in each sentence:

1. You need years of experience to become the top banana in this organisation.
   a) A newcomer
   b) The most important person
   c) A random employee
2. She became the top banana in Bollywood after her latest hit film.
   a) Background artist
   b) Industry leader
   c) Music composer
3. Everyone listened carefully because the top banana was giving a speech.
   a) The least important member
   b) The main person in charge
   c) A junior staff member

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

Fill in the blanks using “top banana”:

1. You have to work extremely hard to become the ____________ in any field.
2. After her award-winning performance, she became the ____________ in the film industry.
3. Everyone in the hall was waiting to see the ____________ perform.

Answers

Exercise 1 Answers

1. b) The most important person
2. b) Industry leader
3. b) The main person in charge

Exercise 2 Answers

1. top banana
2. top banana
3. top banana

To summarise, the idiom “Top Banana” is perfect for describing someone in a powerful or leading position. Using it naturally in IELTS Speaking and Writing can make your language richer and more expressive. Practise the examples and exercises above to confidently use it in your responses.

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