伊達だてに

expression, adverb

for show; just for appearance; not just for nothing

Used adverbially, almost always with a negative verb, to mean that something is not done merely for show or without substance. Often in the pattern 伊達に〜ない.

• 彼かれは伊達だてに長なが年ねんこの仕し事ごとをしているわけではない。

  He hasn't been doing this job for years just for show.