diplomat
official representing a country abroad
A person who works for a government and represents their country in other countries, talking and negotiating with foreign leaders.
a diplomat from [country] / a [senior/top] diplomat
- Several Western diplomats met to discuss the crisis in the region.
- She worked as a British diplomat in Tokyo for five years.
- The president sent a top diplomat to help restart the peace talks.
- Experienced diplomats know how to stay calm during difficult negotiations.
- As a young diplomat, he was posted to the embassy in Moscow.
- The diplomat spoke to the leaders of both countries.
- He wants to become a diplomat and work in an embassy.
- A French diplomat visited our city last week.
- The government sent a diplomat to talk about trade.
- Diplomats often move from one country to another for their job.
person very good at handling people
A person who is very good at talking to people and solving problems without making others angry.
[someone] is a real diplomat in [situation]
- You need to be a bit of a diplomat when dealing with upset customers.
- She acted like a true diplomat, calming everyone down during the argument.
- He’s such a diplomat that even strong criticism sounds gentle when he says it.
- As project manager, she has to be a diplomat between the different teams.
- Only a real diplomat could have kept both sides happy in that meeting.
- My mother is a diplomat when our family argues.
- He is a real diplomat at work and never offends anyone.
- We need a diplomat to talk to both groups and find a solution.
- She was a diplomat and spoke very carefully to her angry friend.
- Try to be a diplomat and listen to both sides.
- Base: diplomat
- Plural: diplomats
armchair diplomat
1talker about diplomacy with no experience
Someone who likes to talk and give strong opinions about international politics and diplomacy but has no real experience doing that work.
- Social media is full of armchair diplomats giving simple answers to complex conflicts.
- He called the TV host an armchair diplomat who doesn’t understand the region.
- Armchair diplomats often ignore the real limits that professionals face.
career diplomat
1person with lifelong diplomatic career
A diplomat who spends most or all of their working life in the diplomatic service, instead of coming from another job like business or politics.
- He is a career diplomat who has served in more than ten countries.
- The new foreign minister is a career diplomat, not a politician.
- As a career diplomat, she has deep experience in international negotiations.
shuttle diplomat
1diplomat who travels between sides
A diplomat who flies or drives many times between two or more sides in a conflict to help them reach an agreement.
- A U.S. shuttle diplomat spent weeks flying between the two capitals to push for a ceasefire.
- The shuttle diplomat met both leaders several times in one day.
- As a shuttle diplomat, she worked almost nonstop to keep talks alive.