trophy partner

By analogy with trophy wife.

trophy partner (plural trophy partners)

1. A romantic partner, usually young and attractive, regarded as a status symbol for their partner, usually older and affluent.

   Coordinate terms: trophy wife, trophy husband, trophy boyfriend, trophy girlfriend

   • 2004, Deborah Tom, chapter 1, in Find the Balance: Essential Steps to Fulfilment in Your Work and Life, BBC Books, page 16:

     Many people are waking up to the fact that fulfilment is not necessarily about material possessions and social status — the Aston Martin, the second home in the sun, the next promotion, the third child or trophy partner — although for some these things seem to be essential and are the reasons why they put most of their time, energy and effort into work.

   • 2005, Nick Marshallsay, chapter 8, in The Body Language Phrasebook: 500 ways to read the signs, Chrysalis Books Group, page 239:

     Walking arm in arm serves several purposes. It provides the comfort of contact, and it indicates to other parties (and potential mates) that we are unavailable. It can also be a display of a “trophy” partner, particularly where there is a marked difference in the age, desirability or attractiveness of the pair.

   • 2010, Christina Hollis, chapter 6, in The French Aristocrat's Baby, Mills & Boon, page 128:

     This was rapidly turning back into the dream to end all dreams. Etienne was so darkly handsome, and he was standing so close her heart bounced with anticipation. It took a huge effort to remember what had happened to his ex-fiancée. She had been the media’s idea of a trophy partner, yet it had ended in disaster.

• social handbag
• arm candy
• armpiece

• “trophy partner”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.