fat cat

noun

, Slang.

1. a wealthy person from whom large political campaign contributions are expected.
2. any wealthy person, especially one who has become rich quickly through questionable dealings.
3. an important, influential, or famous person.
4. a person who has become lazy or self-satisfied as the result of privilege or advantage.

fat cat

noun

1. slang.
   1. a very wealthy or influential person
   2. ( as modifier )

      a fat-cat industrialist

Word History and Origins

Origin of fat cat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Idioms and Phrases

A wealthy and privileged person, as in This neighborhood, with its million-dollar estates, is full of fat cats . This term originally meant “a rich contributor to a political campaign,” and while this usage persists, it now is often applied more broadly, as in the example. [ Colloquial ; 1920s]

Example Sentences

It was the wanton disdain for democracy, the venality and corruption, the aggressive pursuit of regulatory rollbacks, which did nothing for the economy, enriched a few fat cat friends and industries and degraded the quality of life for everyone else.

From Time

It was a Southern-Midwestern radical-agrarian party that opposed fat-cat financial interests.

From The Daily Beast

Florida shopping-center magnate Mel Sembler is proud to personify the sort of Republican fat cat that Mitt Romney is depending on.

From The Daily Beast

Highlighting “big business” success resonates with the corporate fat-cat caricature.

From The Daily Beast

They also nearly always cite a December 2009 interview in which the president called out "fat cat" bankers.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, the fat-cat donors are credited with more “Calculated Giving.”

From The Daily Beast

A fat cat, looking as if it were dead, lay relaxed on the grass beneath this board.

From Project Gutenberg