you don't dip your pen in company ink
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: you don't dip your pen in the company's ink · you don't dip your pen in the inkwell · don't dip your pen in company ink
Meaning · English
One should avoid romantic or sexual relationships in the workplace.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"In my job, young hot things have been coming up to me for years," says Fletcher, the retired pilot. "You don't dip your pen in company ink."
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 “you don't dip your pen in company ink” mean?
One should avoid romantic or sexual relationships in the workplace.
Is “you don't dip your pen in company ink” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.