empty suit
English edit
Etymology edit
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 edit
empty suit (plural empty suits)
- (derogatory) A person in a position of authority who is ineffective or incompetent.
See also edit
References edit
- littlegreenfootballs.com Oct 22, 2006, The Empty Suit, New York Times spokesman Barney Calame -- the widely-reviled, worthless "public editor".