empty suit
nounEtymology Derived from unfavorable observations that ineffective professionals are memorable only for their attire and not their accomplishments at the workplace. First use appears c. 1950 in the New York Times.
1
Government, Politics Also, Derogatory, Idiomatic, Slang An ineffective or incompetent person in a place of authority.
2
Government, Politics A politician who has not fulfilled any campaign promises.
- John Doe is an empty suit running on an anti-populist platform.
- Derived terms
- empty-suited
- Related terms
- Peter principle