a smoke-filled room

smoke-filled room

A secluded, private place hidden from the knowledge of the public. Usually refers to deals and policies made in business and politics, and often implies a degree of questionable ethics or scruples. What we're discovering now is that the heads of the studios decided in a smoke-filled room nearly 60 years ago to implement policies that would ensure no competitors would intrude on their lucrative market. People are becoming increasingly frustrated that our entire lives are dictated by a powerful few in smoke-filled rooms in Washington.
See also: room
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a smoke-filled room

COMMON If someone says that a political or business decision is made in a smoke-filled room, they mean that it is made by a small group of people in a private meeting, rather than in a more democratic or open way. We're not going to see a return to the smoke-filled room, in which a few ministers and company bosses made all the decisions. Note: This was first used to refer to the suite in the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago where Warren Harding was chosen as the Republican presidential candidate in 1920.
See also: room
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • smoke-filled room
  • in a smoke-filled room
  • nose around for (someone or something)
  • a big fish in a small pond
  • a big frog in a small pond
  • big fish in a small pond
  • big frog in a small pond
  • frog in a small pond
  • know too much
  • amount to the same thing
References in periodicals archive
Phil Hales, area manager for community safety, said: "We are always looking for new and innovative ways to help in our campaign to cut the number of preventable deaths." One room contains a smoke room which allows people to experience what it would be like if they were in a smoke-filled room.
Blow-up fire engine's message THE world's largest
I HAVE many memories of being in a smoke-filled room or pub, but on one of my trips back to Liverpool around five years ago I ended up in several pubs on a Saturday night.
Letter: You say - Smoke-filled memories
He said: "It turned out that although smokers enjoyed a cigarette they actually didn't want to sit in a smoke-filled room all night so I decided to take the gamble."
Smoke is out
Although we hate to have to eat in a smoke-filled room, philosophically we didn't agree with the act despite the sensible arguments about it being a public health matter, an economic development matter and a matter of common sense.
Leading the charge
However, we also know that stress can trigger an asthma attack just as much as a smoke-filled room.
Stress management & healthy diets: strategies for allergy and asthma relief
The event included a "smoke" tent, which allowed people to simulate an escape from a smoke-filled room.
pounds 650 boost from fire station fun
Plucky Thomas O'Neill, 51, wrapped himself in a blanket and dived into a smoke-filled room to rescue Marie McCarthy, 42, and her grandson Jamie, three.
Blaze hero saves five
What the Daring Project collaborators have exploited is the notion of "ballet as club act," splitting each program into classical chestnuts, followed by titillating routines appropriate to a smoke-filled room where the clinking of glasses provides accompaniment.
Ballet: The Daring Project
Last month's event included a "smoke" tent, which allowed people to simulate an escape from a smoke-filled room.
Fund-raising help
Firefighter Neil McElvenny said: "The fire engine rides proved the most popular and the smoke tent gave people the experience of how to escape from a smoke-filled room."
Youngsters on alert for fire HQ open day
Bravery awards are being presented to two Coventry police officers who saved the life of a woman trapped in a smoke-filled room.
Fire rescue policemen to get bravery awards