letters after (one's) name

letters after (one's) name

A series of abbreviations indicating the various levels of higher education or military honors one has received, thereby denoting a presumed level of intelligence, wisdom, or respectability. I hate hanging out with your PhD colleagues—it seems like they'll only take you seriously if you have letters after your name. Those letters after your name do not prove your worth to me; in my eyes, you're still just a fool.
See also: after, letter, name
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • have letters after (one's) name
  • Who wears the trousers?
  • two-second rule
  • sterling qualities
  • excursion
  • alarms and excursions
  • alarums and excursions
  • bosom buddy/friend