elect
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couldn't be elected dogcatcher
So unpopular or unqualified as to be unable to be elected to even the lowliest role. A hyperbolic phrase, especially since animal control officers are appointed, not elected. Primarily heard in US. He wants to be mayor? Ha, that incompetent fool couldn't be elected dogcatcher! The former senator was forced out of office in disgrace. Now she couldn't be elected dogcatcher.
See also: dogcatcher, elect
couldn't get elected dogcatcher
So unpopular or unqualified as to be unable to be elected to even the lowliest role. A hyperbolic phrase, especially since animal control officers are appointed, not elected. Primarily heard in US. He wants to be mayor? Ha, that incompetent fool couldn't be elected dogcatcher!
elect to (something)
To vote someone into a particular position or office. A noun or pronoun can be used between "elect" and "to." I had hoped to be elected to the student government, but a more popular boy beat me out.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
elect someone (as) something
to select someone to be something by ballot. We elected her as our representative. She was elected as our president.
elect someone to something
to select someone to be a member of something by ballot; to select someone to be an officer in something by ballot. We elected you to office, so do your job. Tom was elected to the congress.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.