fat cat

American  

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.

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fat cat British  

noun

1. slang

   1. a very wealthy or influential person

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fat-cat industrialist

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fat cat Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of fat cat

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

But she’s practical; she’ll do what it takes to survive in a world of gross inequality, where Hades is an industrial fat cat and artists and workers are largely servile.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2022

Amid this, we follow many lives, including two brothers looking for work, a showgirl, a villainous spy, a conscienceless fat cat and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, labor organizer, feminist and, later, a founder of the ACLU.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2021

"It is not a fat cat scheme for people at the top of the business," boss John Roberts told the BBC's Today Programme.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2020

“I became a fat cat, not as hungry as I was years ago.”

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2017

He’ll read, “The fat cat sat,’’ but he’ll think it says, “The ft ctst” Very funny, Steven.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick