Jobs for the boys
phrase
Giving jobs to friends or relatives, especially in politics, without considering their abilities to do them well.
The politician was accused of 'jobs for the boys' when he assigned all key positions to his close allies.
Often appears as...
- accused of jobs for the boys
- practice jobs for the boys
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
phrase
Giving jobs to friends or relatives, especially in politics, without considering their abilities to do them well.
The politician was accused of 'jobs for the boys' when he assigned all key positions to his close allies.
Often appears as...
- accused of jobs for the boys
- practice jobs for the boys
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Political Connotation
The phrase often implies unethical behavior in governmental or organizational appointments.
The mayor's latest appointments smacked of 'jobs for the boys', ignoring more qualified candidates.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Usage
It's colloquial and not suitable for formal writing, such as academic essays or formal reports.
He chuckled about how the firm's hiring was just 'jobs for the boys'.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Implications
Using the phrase suggests disapproval and hints that the process is not based on merit.
Everyone knew it was 'jobs for the boys', given how the boss hired his incompetent friends.
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