casting couch
2 synonyms for casting couch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The practice by which someone in a position to award acting roles demands sexual favours from a performer in return, used as a byword for that kind of abuse of power in the entertainment industry.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
quid pro quo abuse
sexual coercion
How to use casting couch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
casting couch culture
the casting couch
casting couch allegations
Journalistic and informal; the phrase names an abuse, so treat it carefully rather than as a joke.
Frequently asked questions
Is the casting couch a real piece of furniture?
The term originally alluded to a couch in a producer's private office, but it is used figuratively. Nobody today is describing an item of furniture when they use the phrase.
Does the casting couch only apply to film?
It began as a film and theatre term but is now applied to music, modelling, television and any field where one person controls access to work and exploits that control.
Is casting couch a legal term?
No. The conduct it describes is generally covered in law by sexual harassment, coercion or quid pro quo discrimination, depending on the jurisdiction.
