Etymology
Origin of tin-pot
First recorded in 1835–45; tin ( def. ) (from the believed inferior quality of a tin pot) + pot 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He’s 80% charisma, 20% peacock, who takes his fashion cues from tin-pot dictators and Elton John.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2025
Yes, Adolf Hitler was ridiculous and vulgar, a tin-pot demagogue instead of a smooth politician, but he knew how to excite the nationalist base and deliver a whopper of a speech.
From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2020
His leadership bona fides were equally laughable, having presided over bankrupt casinos and failed real-estate projects, fabricated the persona of a lady-killer, and created a reality TV show about a tin-pot entrepreneur.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2018
Former president Kgalema Motlanthe, who headed a panel of inquiry into the land issue, described traditional leaders as “village tin-pot dictators.”
From Reuters ● Aug. 24, 2018
Every mortal fad sprung on the House by some tin-pot country member, some retired canteen-keeper and proportionately consequential, is off-loaded on the Civil Commissioner.
From Aletta A Tale of the Boer Invasion by Bertram Mitford
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
