front office

American  

noun

1. the executive or administrative office of a company, organization, etc.

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front office Idioms  

1. The policy-making or executive individuals in an organization, as in I'll have to check with the front office before I can give you a discount. This term was originally underworld slang for police headquarters or the main detective bureau. It soon was extended to other administrative offices and their personnel. [c. 1900]

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Other Word Forms

• front-office adjective

Etymology

Origin of front office

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

When I get back to the motel’s parking lot, there’s a car idling, right outside the front office.

From Literature

That’s not meant to be a dig at the Steelers front office.

From Los Angeles Times

Using a playbook familiar to their front office, the Dodgers waited until the market for slugging outfielder Kyle Tucker dwindled before making him a huge offer short on duration but generous in dollars.

From Los Angeles Times

Although they had plenty of financial flexibility at the start of the offseason, with more than $60 million in salary from last season coming off the books, the front office also touted potential internal options.

From Los Angeles Times

Expenses grew five percent, with the bank citing increases in front office employees, higher occupancy expense and other factors.

From Barron's