# faceless bureaucrat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/faceless-bureaucrat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A stereotypical anonymous, interchangeable and unaccountable government official.

## Examples

- A faceless bureaucrat denied my application without any explanation.
- The local residents felt frustrated because every request they sent was blocked by some faceless bureaucrat in a distant office.
- The reform failed because every attempt at progress was systematically dismantled by a faceless bureaucrat who prioritized rigid procedure over the public good.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.