a pen-pusher
Meaning: A clerk or bureaucrat doing dull paperwork.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Some pen-pusher lost our application.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A dismissive term for office workers who do nothing but push a pen. It is found from the early 20th century; the American equivalent is "paper pusher."
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Un rond-de-cuir — literally: A leather ring
More idioms — Daily Life
- a word to the wise — A hint or warning that a sensible person will heed.
- a shot across the bow — A warning of more serious action to come.
- a witch hunt — A campaign to find and punish people, driven by fear or suspicion rather than evidence.
- let's hit the road — Let's leave; let's get going.
- without fanfare — Quietly, without any publicity.
- a Herculean task — An extremely difficult job requiring huge effort.
More English idioms
- blood will tell — Family background and inherited character eventually show.
- at a snail's pace — Very slowly.
- no picnic — Not easy or pleasant.
- the lean years — A period of hardship and scarcity.
- worship the golden calf — To value money and wealth above everything.
- a poisoned chalice — Something that seems attractive but brings trouble to whoever accepts it.
From our tongue twisters
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- The sixth sick sheikh's sixth sheep's sick. — Believed by Guinness to be among the hardest in English — 'six/sick/sheikh/sheep' blur in…