jack-in-office

noun

1. a self-important petty official

Example Sentences

He was equally fine as Malvolio: a preening, stiff-gaited jack-in-office who, like all first-rate Malvolios, enlisted one's sympathy in his downfall.

From The Guardian

There was a roar of execration, and in the twinkling of an eye the Jack-in-office, tripped up this way and shoved that, was struggling helplessly in the grasp of half a dozen men, who fought savagely for his body with the Hundredman and the constables.

From Project Gutenberg

Jack-in-office is a great man.

From Project Gutenberg

These, till they were wanted, leaned against the wall behind, conversing in loud tones with other members of the Battalion of Testimony, or fawning with fulsome scrapings about Major Sirr, who, with the pompous airs of a jack-in-office, acted as master of the judicial ceremonies.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not the vanity of power--the attribute of Jack-in-office, which had galvanised his careless nature into serious purpose.

From Project Gutenberg