English Explanatory Dictionary

empty suit

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An ineffective or incompetent person in a place of authority.
  2. A politician who has not fulfilled any campaign promises.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-empty suit.wav

Word forms

empty suit empty suits

Etymology

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.

Related words

Peter principle

Derived words

empty-suited
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