English idiom

joe public

Register · Informal CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

the ordinary, average member of the public

Why this phrase?

'Joe' stands for a typical person, not a specific man.

Example

“These prices are far too high for Joe Public.”

Dictionary details

Tags

society

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

rat race

the exhausting, competitive struggle to keep up at work and get ahead

behind the scenes

happening privately or secretly, not in public view

the man/woman in the street

an ordinary, average person

walk of life

a person's occupation, social position, or general way of living

above one's station

behaving as if you belong to a higher social class or rank than you do

grass roots movement

a movement started and driven by ordinary people rather than leaders or organizations

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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