Bailiwick
noun
A specific area or activity over which somebody has control.
Currency regulation is the bailiwick of the central bank.
Often appears as...
- within someone's bailiwick
- step out of one's bailiwick
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
The district or jurisdiction of a bailie or sheriff.
He was assigned the southern bailiwick.
Often appears as...
- assigned bailiwick
- sheriff's bailiwick
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A specific area or activity over which somebody has control.
Currency regulation is the bailiwick of the central bank.
Often appears as...
- within someone's bailiwick
- step out of one's bailiwick
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
The district or jurisdiction of a bailie or sheriff.
He was assigned the southern bailiwick.
Often appears as...
- assigned bailiwick
- sheriff's bailiwick
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Scope of Control
Use 'bailiwick' to describe someone's area of expertise or authority, often within a job.
Negotiating contracts is exclusively Robert's bailiwick.
Pro Tip 2/3Modern Specialty
'Bailiwick' is used metaphorically today to refer to a person's special interest or skill area.
Organic gardening is really Sarah's bailiwick.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Physical Space
In modern usage, 'bailiwick' refers more to abstract areas than physical locations.
Video game design is the programmer's bailiwick, not the physical office he works in.
Pro Tip 1/3Scope of Control
Use 'bailiwick' to describe someone's area of expertise or authority, often within a job.
Negotiating contracts is exclusively Robert's bailiwick.
Pro Tip 2/3Modern Specialty
'Bailiwick' is used metaphorically today to refer to a person's special interest or skill area.
Organic gardening is really Sarah's bailiwick.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Physical Space
In modern usage, 'bailiwick' refers more to abstract areas than physical locations.
Video game design is the programmer's bailiwick, not the physical office he works in.
Pro Tip 1/3Scope of Control
Use 'bailiwick' to describe someone's area of expertise or authority, often within a job.
Negotiating contracts is exclusively Robert's bailiwick.
Pro Tip 2/3Modern Specialty
'Bailiwick' is used metaphorically today to refer to a person's special interest or skill area.
Organic gardening is really Sarah's bailiwick.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Physical Space
In modern usage, 'bailiwick' refers more to abstract areas than physical locations.
Video game design is the programmer's bailiwick, not the physical office he works in.
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Quote examples
Andy Williams
American Musician
There's no doubt in my mind that people on the West Coast - L.A. particularly - and the East Coast have no clue at all about what's happening outside their own little bailiwick. And they think everybody is stupid because they are not sophisticated.
Quote examples
Chris Roberson
American Author
I'm always really comfortable writing strong, smart ladies. That's kind of my bailiwick.
Quote examples
Andy Williams
American Musician
There's no doubt in my mind that people on the West Coast - L.A. particularly - and the East Coast have no clue at all about what's happening outside their own little bailiwick. And they think everybody is stupid because they are not sophisticated.
Quote examples
Chris Roberson
American Author
I'm always really comfortable writing strong, smart ladies. That's kind of my bailiwick.
Example 1 of 2
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