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, South Africa. After making off-color remarks about several demographics of voters, the would-be mayor couldn't even get elected dogcatcher.
See also: elect, get

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.
See also: elect
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also: elect
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • couldn't get elected dogcatcher
  • since the beginning of time
  • a fate worse than death
  • fate worse than death
  • fate worse than death, a
  • boiling hot
  • fury
  • Hell has no fury like a (certain type of person) scorned
  • hell hath no fury
  • hell hath no fury like a (certain type of person) scorned
References in periodicals archive
Up to PS5,000 deposit contribution on selected models with Elect 3 & Elect 4 finance.
An offer for every occasion; Citroen
How many states will not elect either a Governor or a Senator?--
Election 2006: use this map to learn which important races will take place in your state in November
The Chairs of the six standing committees shall be elected for three years, but may be re-elected for one additional term to the same chair.
Constitution and bylaws of the Renaissance Society of America as amended 28 March 2003 at the 49th Annual Council Meeting held in the Colony Toronto Hotel, Toronto, Canada
There is a strong faction of doctrinal conservatives in the College of Cardinals worried that Catholicism is being corrupted by secularism and relativism, and this faction will seek to elect a pope who is even stronger on doctrine than John Paul II.
Pope hopefuls: everyone assumes that John Paul II's successor will be a conservative. Don't bet on it
To contain costs, the plan document typically sets a cap on the total benefits any one employee may elect for a plan year.
Flexible benefits for small employers
Section 985(b)(3) of the Code provides in part "To the extent provided in regulations, the taxpayer may elect to use the dollar as the functional currency for any qualified business unit .
Proposed DASTM regulations
*Following a tie between Peter Isherwood and Geoffrey Whitby, lots were drawn to determine who would be elected.
Waverley Local Elections 2019 results: Tories lose 49-seat majority in huge collapse; The Conservatives lost 30 councillors in what proved to be a disastrous election in south-west Surrey
4 elected members have been replaced by 4 non- elected representatives.
16 non elected members added in federal cabinet
Six AFC members were also elected to the FIFA Council and it included India's Praful Patel.
OFA'S WAHAIBI ELECTED TO AFC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
In his remarks, Mr Kunle Akande, a former Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who was elected to represent Olorunda State Constituency, appreciated God and his constituents.
INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To 26 Osun Assembly Members-Elect
Independent candidate Riki Haider Asha and Sara Binte Jahan of Bangladesh Chhatra League were elected vice-president and general secretary respectively of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall union polls under Ducsu.
BCL bags most hall posts
Sardar Sharif Sohal was elected as President while Rana Zahid Imran, Syed Khurram Shah and Arshad Sindhu were elected as other office-bearers.
Kasur Press Club office-bearers
Attock -- Israr Ahmed was elected as President District Bar Attock in their annual elections while Rana Istifad Ali Khan was elected as General Secretary for the third consecutive term.
Israr Ahmed elected as president Attock dist bar
ATTOCK -- Malik Israr Ahmad was elected president of the Attock Bar Association for the third time with 226 votes, defeating Fayaz Iqbal Advocate who bagged 141 votes.
Bar associations elect office-bearers
Suman Pokhrel of the IME Limited has been elected as the new chairman of the Nepal Remittance Association
Nepal Remittance Association elects new office bearers