corporate welfare bum
- noun
- /ˈkɔːr.pə.rət ˈwɛl.fər bʌm/
- Offensive
:
vividor
- The public was outraged to learn that a corporate welfare bum was receiving millions in grants while laying off workers.
Examples
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Critics argue that those in power often act like corporate welfare bums, taking subsidies without creating jobs.
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Many see him as a corporate welfare bum who exploits government funds without contributing to society.
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They are unwilling to work for a living, the ultimate corporate welfare bums.
Blog text (8)
Synonyms
22
6.3
A rich, powerful person who seems greedy and has too much power
How Deserving
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is compositionally built from 'corporate' (relating to corporations) + 'welfare' (financial aid/subsidy) + 'bum' (an undeserving or contemptible person), so a learner who knows these words can infer it labels someone who undeservedly receives corporate subsidies. The structure and metaphorical extension (using 'bum' derogatorily for a corporate beneficiary) are straightforward and follow common compounding patterns, so the meaning is readily accessible despite its slangy tone.
Etymology
Corporate welfare bum compares corporate leaders to a welfare bum. Imagine a person resting and taking 'handouts' while others work; here the 'handouts' are government money given to big companies, so the phrase means a business leader who is seen as 'living off government support' without earning it.