underpants gnome
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Someone who makes incomplete plans with missing steps; someone who plans unsuccessfully.
Register: derogatory, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
2. ? 3. Profit! Do you think their plan is missing something? They know Success in Programming 53 There Is No Try It's a Question of Passion Don't Plan Like an Underpants Gnome.
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).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A plan with missing steps; an incomplete plan.
Register: derogatory, slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “underpants gnome” mean?
Someone who makes incomplete plans with missing steps; someone who plans unsuccessfully.
Is “underpants gnome” formal or informal?
underpants gnome is generally derogatory, slang.