tin-pot operation
- noun
- /tɪn pɑt ˌɑpəˈreɪʃən/
- Offensive
:
operación de pacotilla
- After seeing how disorganized the staff were, I realized it was just a tin-pot operation.
Examples
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The scandal revealed that the charity was no more than a tin-pot operation.
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He refused to invest in such a tin-pot operation with no track record.
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That is a tin-pot operation.
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Don't waste your time with that tin-pot operation!
-
After seeing how disorganized the staff were, I realized it was just a tin-pot operation.
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He refused to invest in such a tin-pot operation with no track record.
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The scandal revealed that the charity was no more than a tin-pot operation.
Synonyms
1
8.2
A business or group that is small and badly run
A small, badly run company that seems unimportant
Antonyms
A group of people with the same job who support members and set standards for their work
How Professional
- Offensive
Surface Forms
Morphology
tin-pot + operation
The compound 'tin-pot' evokes cheapness or inferior quality from 'tin' and 'pot', so a learner knowing the constituents could infer a derogatory sense (small, low-quality). However, the specific nuance of 'insignificant or poorly managed organization' is a metaphorical extension that is not fully predictable without exposure. Therefore it is partially transparent but requires some pragmatic or cultural knowledge.
Etymology
The phrase tin-pot operation may come from the image of a small, cheap tin pot that is easy to dent and not fit for serious cooking. So calling a business a tin-pot operation means it is small, low-quality, or 'badly run'.