perch
to sit or stay on a small or high place, like a ledge, branch, or stool
To sit, stand, or rest on a narrow or high place, often in a slightly unstable or careful way.
a small or high place where someone or something sits or stands
A narrow or high place where a person or animal sits, stands, or rests.
a type of freshwater fish that people often catch and eat
A common freshwater fish of the perch family, especially the Eurasian perch or the yellow perch, often caught for food or sport.
a stick or bar in a cage or house where a bird sits or sleeps
A rod, bar, or branch, especially in a cage or chicken house, on which a bird sits or sleeps.
to put someone or something on a small or high place, like a ledge, wall, or stool
To place someone or something on a narrow or high support, often so that it looks slightly unstable or unusual.
a job or place in a group that gives someone power or an advantage over others
A position, especially within an organization or social group, that gives someone power, influence, or an advantageous viewpoint.
an old measure of length, about 5 meters, used in the past for land
An old unit of length, equal to 16.5 feet or 5.03 meters, formerly used especially in measuring land; also used as a unit of area in some systems.
- Base: perch
- Plural: perch, perches
- Base: perch
- 3rd Person Singular: perches
- Present Participle: perching
- Past: perched
be perched on
1be sitting on a narrow, high place
to be in a position where something is sitting or standing on a small or high place
- The village is perched on the side of a mountain.
- Her glasses were perched on the end of her nose.
- A tiny café is perched on the cliff above the sea.
from his perch
1view or role someone has because of their position
used to say what someone can see or how they think because of their special place or job
- From his perch on the committee, he saw exactly how decisions were made.
- From her perch in the balcony, the stage looked tiny.
- From their perch in the capital, they often misunderstand life in small towns.
knock someone off their perch
1remove someone from a top position
to make a successful or powerful person lose their top position, power, or confidence
- The new team knocked the champions off their perch with a surprise win.
- Scandals finally knocked the politician off his perch.
- A young start-up is threatening to knock the old market leader off its perch.
perch on
1sit or rest on a narrow, high place
to sit or stay on a small or high place, like a ledge, wall, or stool
- A sparrow perched on the fence, watching the garden.
- She perched on the edge of the desk to talk to her colleague.
- The child perched on the wall, kicking his legs in the air.
perch yourself on
1seat yourself on a high, narrow place
to sit down on a small or high place, often quickly or lightly
- She perched herself on a stool at the counter and ordered a coffee.
- He perched himself on the arm of the sofa to join the conversation.
- They perched themselves on a low wall to watch the parade go by.