weaponized incompetence

Meaning

This term refers to the act of pretending to be bad at a task so that someone else will do it for you. It is commonly used to describe behaviors in relationships or workplaces where one person avoids responsibility by acting clueless. The tone is typically critical, frustrated, or analytical.

Examples

• He claims he doesn't know how to use the washing machine, but I think it's just weaponized incompetence.

  He claims he doesn't know how to use the washing machine, but I think it's just weaponized incompetence.

• Don't fall for her weaponized incompetence; she knows exactly how to format that spreadsheet.

  Don't fall for her weaponized incompetence; she knows exactly how to format that spreadsheet.

• Using weaponized incompetence to get out of doing household chores will eventually ruin a relationship.

  Using weaponized incompetence to get out of doing household chores will eventually ruin a relationship.

• My coworker practiced weaponized incompetence so well that the boss stopped assigning him any difficult tasks.

  My coworker practiced weaponized incompetence so well that the boss stopped assigning him any difficult tasks.

• I realized I was guilty of weaponized incompetence when I pretended not to know how to set up the new TV.

  I realized I was guilty of weaponized incompetence when I pretended not to know how to set up the new TV.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He did a weaponized incompetence on the dishes.

  ✓ He used weaponized incompetence to avoid doing the dishes.

  'Weaponized incompetence' is a noun phrase, not a verb. You must use, practice, or exhibit it.

• ✗ His weapon incompetence is so annoying.

  ✓ His weaponized incompetence is so annoying.

  You must use the past participle adjective 'weaponized' to modify 'incompetence' correctly.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Instead of learning how to use the new software, Sarah used ___ so someone else would do her reports.

  💡 Pretending to be bad at something to avoid doing it.

  Show answer

  weaponized incompetence

• If you keep pretending you can't cook, people will accuse you of ___.

  💡 A two-word phrase starting with 'w' and 'i'.

  Show answer

  weaponized incompetence