suede-shoe operator
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A flashy and dishonest trader.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
In any event, the first time the homeowner comes in contact with the contractor is when the job is actually performed. By then, Childers said, the "suede shoe" operator has skipped town and the contractor is responsible […]
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 “suede-shoe operator” mean?
A flashy and dishonest trader.
Is “suede-shoe operator” formal or informal?
suede-shoe operator is generally slang.