WOAH. An awkward giggle game from one of my co-workers. Everyone else hushed. Are you supposed to tell your boss that?
(what does that even mean?)
It's not in my fabulous dictionary! So I go online. This phrase is used in business and politics a lot. It's not succinctly defined. So let me take you through the thought...
The head = management / head(s) of government
How management/government acts reflects upon those they manage/govern.
Usually this term is used with a negative connotation (so it seems)
So if management/government is corrupt/not doing an ideal job, it will reflect poorly on the rest of the company.
Thus, a business will crumble from the top down, the head first.
Apparently there's a book about it
See what Wickipeida has to say about the phrase: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_of_the_Leader
The Fish Rots from the Head (First)
My Score Card for this idiom:
Able to be understood initially?: yes
Able to be understood once explained?: yes
See? I'm catchin' on,
An ever-improving American
