ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bean counter

idiom
Meaning

A person who is excessively interested in controlling or reducing expenses, increasing profits, or in quantitative details in general.


Origin

disputed origin

Probably from German Erbsenzähler (literally “pea counter”).

Examples
SIMPLE

The bean counter rejected our small office party.

CONTEXTUAL

Our new manager is a real bean counter who questions every coffee purchase.

COMPLEX

The creative team groaned when the bean counter from finance slashed their travel budget, insisting every receipt be justified.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    rivet counter

    A person who has an obsession with the minutiae of their particular interest, especially in military and technology history. Anyone preoccupied with small distinguishing features between different items.

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