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plural wannabes
(informal, derogatory, often attributive) Someone who wishes to be or do something, but lacks the qualifications or talent; an overeager amateur; an aspirant. quotations examples
Who the hell is that woman messing in my files? GET HER OUT OF HERE! I won't have my system messed up by some wannabe "expert" who'll be gone next week! Damn strangers who think they know it all but don't care about what we're really trying to achieve here.
2012, BioWare, quoting Sho D'hen, Mass Effect 3 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Mars
He had the reputation of a wannabe hardman, riding his cousin's coattails.
2022, Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic, page 251
(informal, derogatory) Someone who wishes to be part of, or to assimilate to, a majority group of which they are not a member. quotations examples
Bigger, mongrelly and black, he was clearly a Doberman wannabe.
2000, Bill Oddie, Gripping Yarns, page 126