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) An ineffective or incompetent person in a place of authority.

   Coordinate term: stuffed shirt

2. A politician who hasn't made any campaign promises.

   John Doe is an empty suit running on an anti-populist platform.

See also

• Peter principle

References

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