sleaze factor

sleaze factor

An aspect, element, or part of a group, organization, campaign, activity, etc., that engages in, is tainted by, or is known for immoral, corrupt, or scandalous behavior. We're aiming to create a dating website for professional adults, without the sleaze factor for which some of our competitors are known. The deregulation of this industry has caused the sleaze factor to skyrocket, as people motivated purely by greed now have myriad ways to manipulate the system.
See also: factor, sleaze
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sleaze factor

The element in a political party, administration, or other organization that is corrupt, controversial, or tainted by scandal. For example, I can't see myself making a campaign contribution to them-there's too much of a sleaze factor . This slangy expression derives from the adjective sleazy, which means "vulgar" or "tawdry." The idiom was first used in politics in the 1980s.
See also: factor, sleaze
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

sleaze factor

The part of a situation or organization that is sordid or corrupt. The word sleaze has been used in the sense of immoral or corrupt since about 1960. The entire phrase is used mostly for components of an administration, political party, or campaign. An article by Joshua E. Keating was headlined, “Sleaze Factor, Is There an Epidemic of Corruption in the World’s Democracies?” (Foreign Policy, July 12, 2010). An article about a television reality show was headlined, “Critics Blame Big Media for Sleaze Factor” (Frank Ahrens, Washington Post, February 11, 2004).
See also: factor, sleaze
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • sleaze
  • sepulchre
  • a whited sepulcher
  • a whited sepulchre
  • nearer the church, the farther from God
  • bent
  • a sometime thing
  • something thing, a
  • weekend warrior
  • not put it past someone
References in periodicals archive
As for the sleaze factor, even that feels a trifle tepid under the circumstances.
Also starring Cheryl Hines (of TV's Curb Your Enthusiasm), The Ugly Truth contains not one surprise as it heads towards its predictable finale, while some choice language and a 'gag' revolving around vibrating underwear needlessly up the sleaze factor.
She describes Poison Sweet Madeira as having a deep Russian influence, a North African vibe, a drunken underground Romanian late-night bar feel with a Tom Waits sleaze factor creeping in.
Of course, we know all about the sleaze factor, but what about their sporting interests?
THE sleaze factor in Irish politics has somehow hit the popularity of this Government.
But the real windfall was that Clinton's political sleaze factor - bargaining for Chinese campaign cash, the rate card on the Lincoln Bedroom, a Cabinet that qualifies for a volume discount from defense attorneys, the litany of scandal stretching from Arkansas futures to stolen FBI files - had been blasted off the public's radar screen.
In-your-face, happy-clappy, alcopops, Tamagotchi, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, genetically-modified food, sleaze factor, spin doctor, care in the community, Britpop, air-kissing and touchy-feely: the slickness, the superficially, the selndulgenc e and the mistakes of the 1990s are suggested by so many of these new inclusions.
The sleaze factor goes into overdrive when it turns out the woman is the wife of the President's biggest financial backer.
Secondly, there was the continuing and growing sleaze factor. Nolan had issued its first report; there were leaks from the Scott enquiry's draft conclusions that could have serious implications for a number of Cabinet ministers.
Speaking of Amy Fisher, Lesser's chapter on The Sleaze Factor stands out.
Continuing TV's current fascination with religious extremes, "Outlaw Prophet: Warren Jeffs" provides ample cover for a Lifetime movie with a higher-than-usual sleaze factor, focusing as it does on the fundamentalist Mormon leader ultimately convicted for his sexual abuse of underage girls.
"There's a deep Russian influence, a North African vibe, a drunken underground Romanian late-night bar feel and a Tom Waits sleaze factor creeping in," she said.
The sleaze factor is zero, though they'd happily admit to having a very high cheese factor.
`I try to get rid of the sleaze factor and make them beautiful.` Her clients range from young heterosexual couples to swingers to lesbians and gay men.
"Focus group", "mission statement", "sleaze factor", "on-message" and "spin doctor" all find their way into the hallowed pages of the first new edition of the book, a well-respected guide to the English language, for 11 years.