# inner circle

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/inner-circle
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The group comprising one's closest friends or associates.

## Examples

- She is part of the boss's inner circle.
- Only members of the inner circle know the real reason the company decided to cancel the project.
- The king relied heavily on his inner circle to navigate the political turmoil that threatened to destabilize his fragile reign.

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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.