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

• stuffed shirt

References

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