barrack-room lawyer

barrack-room lawyer
   an opinionated but well-informed know-all
   Usually an old soldier who combines knowledge of army regulations with experience and bloody-mindedness. In America also as barracks lawyer and in the navy as ship's lawyer or sea-lawyer:
    'Who says that now?' cries this barrackroom lawyer. (Fraser, 1982)
    'That was in church!' retorts Jemima, who has the makings of a fine sea-lawyer, (ibid.)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • barrack-room lawyer — (UK) A barrack room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • barrack-room lawyer — noun 1. An argumentative soldier given to disputing military procedure 2. Hence any insistent but unqualified giver of advice • • • Main Entry: ↑barrack …   Useful english dictionary

  • barrack-room lawyer — ► NOUN Brit. ▪ a person who speaks with apparent authority on subjects in which they are not qualified …   English terms dictionary

  • barrack-room lawyer — (UK)    A barrack room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • barrack-room lawyer — noun Brit. a person who makes authoritative sounding pronouncements on subjects in which they are not qualified …   English new terms dictionary

  • barrack-room lawyer —  Person not in authority who claims to know all the rules, or creates difficulties by quoting them …   A concise dictionary of English slang

  • barrack — 1. n. & v. n. (usu. in pl., often treated as sing.) 1 a building or building complex used to house soldiers. 2 any building used to accommodate large numbers of people. 3 a large building of a bleak or plain appearance. v.tr. place (soldiers… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lawyer — n. 1) to hire, retain a lawyer 2) a practicing lawyer 3) a civil rights; corporation; criminal; trial lawyer 4) a Philadelphia ( shrewd ) lawyer 5) (humorous; usu. mil.) a barrack room (esp. BE), guardhouse (esp. AE) lawyer ( a soldier who claims …   Combinatory dictionary

  • guardhouse lawyer —    American    an opinionated know all and troublemaker    Also known as a barrack room lawyer.    Guard duty involves much tedium, providing fertile ground for bores and agitators. General as well as military use …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • sea-lawyer —    see barrack room lawyer …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

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