# diplomatic flu

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/diplomatic-flu
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An illness feigned by one or more government officials or other public figures as an excuse for an absence really based on political factors.

## Examples

- The minister missed the meeting due to a sudden case of diplomatic flu.
- When the controversial vote was announced, the senator suddenly came down with a convenient case of diplomatic flu to avoid taking a public stance.
- Observers noted that the entire cabinet suffered from a collective diplomatic flu, a transparent ruse designed to delay the difficult negotiations until after the upcoming election.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.