chair warmer

noun

, Informal.

1. an officeholder, employee, or the like, who accomplishes little, especially a person who holds an interim position.
2. a person who lounges for long periods sitting in a chair, as in a hotel lobby or clubroom.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chair warmer¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

But for Cyril, I suppose the Major would have remained a chair warmer indefinitely.

From Project Gutenberg

You are a chair warmer in some office, while your ambition led you to seek professional honors—coffee house!

From Project Gutenberg