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Definition

A presumed unacknowledged system of association between childhood friends (especially those at school or university together), used for mutual assistance or favouritism.

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In Context

  • "His hiring and promotion of senior officers rested not on merit but on an old-boy network of connections from Wall Street and the Social Register."
  • "Another BWMT member said bars have no open advertising for bartenders and no affirmative action policy. He said bars hire "young, good looking white men" through an "old-boy network.""
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Also Said As

  • good old boy network
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See Also

  • cronyism
  • male, pale and stale
  • old boys' club
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Related Idioms

u

university of the streets

Synonym of school of hard knocks.

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gruesome twosome

A pair of people who go together, such as two friends, siblings, a mar…

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stick together

To remain united, to stay together in association or alliance.

 c

coffee talk

Informal conversation among friends or acquaintances, of the kind that…

 c

check and balance

The mutual oversight provided by a system of independent organizations…
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