The leaders decided the new law in a smoke-filled room.
smoke-filled room
idiomA place where powerful people meet to decide a matter in secret, often of a political nature.
The public felt angry because the party candidates were chosen in a smoke-filled room rather than by a fair vote.
The journalist spent years investigating the corrupt deal, which had been orchestrated by powerful lobbyists behind the closed doors of a smoke-filled room.
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assume room temperature
To die; to be killed.
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baby elephant in the room
An obvious but mostly inconsequential issue.
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elephant in the room
A problem or difficult issue that is very obvious, but is ignored for the convenience or comfort of those involved.
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get a room
Used to instruct a couple to stop displaying romantic or physical affection in public.
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gorilla in the room
A problem or difficult issue that is very obvious, but is ignored for the convenience or comfort of those involved.
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light up a room
To possess great energy and appeal; to cause a social gathering to become animated and cheerful.
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locker room humor
A type of humor involving jokes about crude and sexual topics.
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make room
To rearrange or organize existing people, objects, furniture, belongings, etc., to create space for new objects.
Last updated April 17, 2026