empty suit

English

Etymology

Derived from unfavorable observations that ineffective professionals are memorable only for what they wear and not what they accomplish at the workplace. [c. 1970]

Noun

empty suit (plural empty suits)

  1. (derogatory) A person in a position of authority who is ineffective or incompetent.

See also

References
  • littlegreenfootballs.com Oct 22, 2006, The Empty Suit, New York Times spokesman Barney Calame -- the widely-reviled, worthless "public editor".
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