# palace politics

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/palace-politics
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The relationships and interactions of top-level officials, advisors and other powerbrokers within a government, especially as involving internal rivalry and intrigue.

## Examples

- He avoids palace politics at the office.
- The new minister struggled to survive the palace politics that defined the inner circle of the government.
- The ambitious advisor spent his entire career navigating the dangerous palace politics of the royal court, eventually securing his position through careful alliances and calculated betrayals.

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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.