the old-boy network
noun[S]
UKdisapprovingukus(alsoold school tie)theinformalsystemin which men who went to the sameschooloruniversityhelpeach other tofindgoodjobsor get othersocialadvantages:
He got his Cityjobthrough the old-boynetwork.
Theinterviewsystemseemedtofavourtheoldschooltieoveracademicmerit.