name–dropping

noun name–drop·ping \-ˌdrä-piŋ\

: the act of trying to impress someone by saying the names of well-known people that you know or have met

Full Definition of NAME-DROPPING

: the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others

— name–drop \-ˌdräp\ intransitive verb

— name–drop·per \ˌdrä-pər\ noun

See name–dropping defined for English-language learners

1950

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