PHB
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Initialism of pointy-haired boss, an incompetent micromanager.
Register: derogatory, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I know this. Which is why I use it. However proving it to my PHB is a diffrent ^([sic]) matter :-)
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “PHB” mean?
Initialism of pointy-haired boss, an incompetent micromanager.
Is “PHB” formal or informal?
PHB is generally derogatory, slang.