An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Glassman might be an effective bean counter, but that is not nearly enough to justify his having a seat on the Maryland Board of Public Works.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 21, 2022
It would not bother me in the least to give my niece the higher amount, because I’m not a bean counter.
From Slate ● May 26, 2021
Young running backs sell jerseys, spur the fantasy industry, provide thrills and inspire dreams; it’s hard to criticize their big paydays without sounding like a grouchy, myopic bean counter.
From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2020
There no bean counter with a backbone stiff enough to hold the reins.
From Washington Times ● May 23, 2019
Jenkins’ character is a bean counter who questions the need for two shooters to handle this particular job.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 30, 2012
Balding and bespectacled, with a greying beard, Vought's public statements typically have the measured cadence of a bean-counter or professor.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2025
It’s such a bean-counter, studio exec note: “What’s the comp for that?”
From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2022
It makes sense all the same, at least from a bean-counter point of view.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 27, 2017
Introducing herself to Bond in 1995's "Goldeneye," the bourbon-drinking M promptly informs Brosnan's Bond that she isn't a "bean-counter," as Bond admits to thinking.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 9, 2012
Chad Hardeman: I assume the firm will have to bring in a bean-counter type to perform Lane's CFO functions.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2012
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
