bailiwick

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'bailiwick' is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is a noun that means someone's area of expertise, responsibility, or authority. It can also refer to a specific geographical area or territory. Example: As the CEO of the company, it is my bailiwick to make executive decisions and lead the company towards success. Another example: The journalist was known for her bailiwick in investigative reporting, always uncovering important information that others missed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the same day the EU temporarily cut tens of millions of euros in regional-development funds, the distribution of which has long been a bailiwick of the Turkish party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS in Bulgarian).

The Economist

Greenhill, which already has a strong foreign presence over half its advisory revenue came from outside America last year is offering M&A advice in industries outside its traditional bailiwick.

The Economist

From a standing start for the ECB, the work will still mainly be done by national supervisors, who in the past have been reluctant to blow the whistle on problems in their bailiwick.

The Economist

The rough frontier town of Pailin became his bailiwick, containing his large villa and bungalows, each with a tank parked outside, for his supporters.

The Economist

In reality, personalities often shine way beyond their limited bailiwick.

The Economist

(Babbage's bailiwick as course manager was both designing curriculum and ensuring all the kit was running smoothly).Many people came specifically to lay their hands on the DCS100.

The Economist

Democrats, who used to regard this traditionally liberal state as their bailiwick, remain narrowly in charge in the Senate, but Minnesota now has a Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty, and a small Republican majority in the House.In fact, both parties have shunned compromise for quite some time.

The Economist

Thanks to technical advances, says Gerhard Bereswill of the Hesse state police (in whose bailiwick Frankfurt lies), the new notes should be harder to forge than D-marks or other national currencies.

The Economist

The two women are standing against each other for the Senate in the province of Buenos Aires, home to 40% of Argentines and long Mr Duhalde's political bailiwick.

The Economist

BARACK OBAMA'S peace envoy, George Mitchell, is back in his Middle East bailiwick after two months away, apparently hopeful he can get Israelis and Palestinians to agree to "terms of reference" that would let long-stalled negotiations resume.

The Economist

I did not think that that fell within our bailiwick".For a justice who sniffs out closet activism even in his fellow conservative justices in 2007 he criticised Chief Justice John Roberts for exercising "faux judicial restraint"—Mr Scalia apparently finds the Voting Rights Act to be a uniquely egregious specimen of legislative incompetence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bailiwick" when you want to emphasize a specific area of expertise, control, or responsibility, often within a professional or organizational context. For geographical contexts, ensure it aligns with historical or formal administrative divisions.

Common error

Avoid using "bailiwick" to describe general interests or hobbies; reserve it for areas where one has recognized authority, responsibility, or expertise. It's not simply something you like, but something you're in charge of, responsible for or possess significant expertise in.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bailiwick" is as a noun. It denotes a specific district under the jurisdiction of a bailiff or, more commonly, a person's area of expertise or authority. Ludwig confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bailiwick" is a noun that signifies an area of authority, responsibility, or expertise, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is frequently used in news and media, often in formal and professional settings. While grammatically correct and widely used, it is important to reserve it for areas where one has recognized expertise or control. Ludwig's examples show how "bailiwick" functions to define the scope of responsibilities within various contexts, from geographical regions to areas of personal competence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

area of responsibility

Focuses specifically on assigned duties and accountability.

sphere of influence

Highlights the extent to which someone can affect decisions or outcomes.

domain of expertise

Emphasizes specialized knowledge and skills in a particular field.

jurisdiction

Refers specifically to the legal authority to govern or adjudicate.

territory

Indicates a defined area, either physical or conceptual, under control.

purview

Highlights the scope of authority or concern.

department

Implies a specific area of activity or responsibility within an organization.

field of activity

Focuses on the range of actions or operations someone is involved in.

area of competence

Highlights skills and ability in particular domain.

political stronghold

Relates exclusively to political dominance over an area or group.

FAQs

How can I use "bailiwick" in a sentence?

You can use "bailiwick" to describe an area of expertise or responsibility. For example, "Managing the marketing budget is her "bailiwick"" or "The bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown dependency".

What's a simpler word for "bailiwick"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "area", "domain", "jurisdiction", or "responsibility" as simpler alternatives to "bailiwick".

Is "bailiwick" a formal or informal word?

"Bailiwick" leans towards the formal side. It's suitable for professional, legal, or historical contexts, but might sound out of place in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "bailiwick" and "territory"?

"Bailiwick" often implies a sphere of responsibility or authority, whereas "territory" primarily refers to a geographical area. A "bailiwick" can be a person's area of expertise, while territory is a physical space.