smoke-filled room

smoke-filled room

English

Noun

smoke-filled room (plural smoke-filled rooms)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see smoke,‎ filled,‎ room.
2. (idiomatic) A place where powerful people meet to decide a matter in secret, often of a political nature.
   • 2009, Robert McCrum, "No Tóibín, no Trevor? Yes, it's time for more Booker controversy", The Guardian:

     In its first decade, prize business was settled in the smoke-filled rooms of London clubs, where it remained resolutely insular.

   • 2013, Ted Cruz, "Ted Cruz Punches Back", National Review:

     If the forums in which we make this case consist of the smoke-filled rooms of Washington, the votes aren't there.