Definition

1. Noun:
   • A special law-enforcement agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: The term "government man" specifically refers to an agent or officer working for a federal government agency, most commonly the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) in the United States. It implies an individual with official authority to enforce laws and conduct investigations on behalf of the national government.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The suspect was questioned by a government man from the FBI.
  • In the old crime novel, the government man arrived to take over the case.

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a connotation of a formal, authoritative, and sometimes secretive federal agent, typically from an agency like the FBI. It is frequently used in historical, literary, or informal contexts.
  • The local police stepped aside when the government man showed his badge.

Variants and Related Words

• G-man (noun): A slang term, historically common, for a government agent, especially an FBI agent. This is a direct variant.
  • The gangsters were wary of the G-men.
• Federal agent (noun): A more general and formal term for any officer of a federal law enforcement agency.
• Fed (noun, informal): A common, sometimes derogatory, slang term for a federal agent.

Synonyms

• FBI agent: An agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Federal officer: An officer employed by the national government.
• Federal agent: See related words above.

Related Phrases

• Government agent: A phrase with a very similar meaning, though it can be slightly broader, potentially including agents from other federal departments.
  • He was traveling undercover as a government agent.

Related Idioms

• : This can be an informal way to state someone's profession as a federal agent.
  • After college, he decided to be a government man.

Noun

1. a special law-enforcement agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation