wheeler-dealer

English

Noun

wheeler-dealer (plural wheeler-dealers)

1. (informal) A shrewd, and often unscrupulous, person who advances his own interests by scheming; a hustler; political or commercial shady operator.
   • 1990, Ed Magnuson and Hays Gorey, "You Sold Your Office ," Time, 26 Nov.:

     Seated at separate tables to underscore their differing levels of involvement with indicted savings and loan wheeler-dealer Charles Keating, the five were fighting to regain reputations earned in a lifetime of public service.

Translations

political or commercial schemer

• Italian: faccendiere (it)
• Russian: махинатор (ru) m (maxinátor)

Related terms

• wheel and deal
• wheeler-dealing