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gaslight gatekeep girlboss

English → EnglishslangironicInstant · from the shared dictionary
gaslight gatekeep girlboss

This phrase is a satirical, tongue-in-cheek mantra that humorously critiques a specific brand of hollow, performative corporate feminism. It is constructed by taking three buzzwords—"gaslight" (manipulating reality), "gatekeep" (withholding resources or status), and "girlboss" (a female entrepreneur or leader)—and stringing them together to mock the idea that women in power can act just as exploitatively as their male counterparts. The phrase is almost exclusively used with a heavy layer of irony or sarcasm. While "girlboss" was originally meant to be empowering, the full sequence is used to call out toxic behavior disguised as empowerment. You will mostly encounter this online, particularly on platforms like TikTok or Twitter, to describe someone who is being ruthless or self-serving while claiming to be a "feminist icon."

In conversation

Workplace critique

Did you see how she blamed the intern for her own mistake?

Did you see how she blamed the intern for her own mistake?

Classic. Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.

Classic. Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.

Used to label toxic behavior by a female supervisor.

Pop culture commentary

She really thinks she's changing the world by underpaying her staff.

She really thinks she's changing the world by underpaying her staff.

She’s living the motto: gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.

She’s living the motto: gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.

Used to highlight the hypocrisy of a brand or public figure.

Examples

  1. Her management style can be summarized as gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.

    Her management style can be summarized as gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.

  2. It is hard to take her corporate activism seriously when she embodies the gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss aesthetic.

    It is hard to take her corporate activism seriously when she embodies the gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss aesthetic.

  3. The internet was quick to label the CEO's manipulative PR strategy as a quintessential example of the gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss pipeline.

    The internet was quick to label the CEO's manipulative PR strategy as a quintessential example of the gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss pipeline.

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