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

From corporate fat cats cutting jobs to AI software to humanities programs getting slashed in higher education, the assault on engaging with our world, and on engaging with art is in full effect.

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Though the series is ultimately inspiring, as stories of little guys taking on fat cats usually are — it’s a sentimental film tradition — the dominant tone is one of frustration.

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All I had was a claw-picking fat cat napping on my bed, and I could barely keep my room clean.

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“The Koch network has invested tremendous capital to overturn long standing legal precedent known as Chevron deference, which would handcuff regulators and serve the interests of corporate fat cats,” Mr. Durbin said.

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Typically sure-footed media titans found themselves on unfamiliar ground — portrayed as out-of-touch corporate fat cats.

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