The corridors of power

Meaning

The idiom "the corridors of power" refers to the place where important decisions are made or where people with influence and authority reside. It can be a physical location, such as government buildings or the White House, but also metaphorical, representing an organization or group that holds significant power or control over a particular area.

Usage

• As a journalist covering politics, it was my job to report on what happened behind the scenes in the corridors of power.
• The company's CEO made a deal with a rival corporation through the corridors of power, which ultimately led to a merger.
• Politicians often use the corridors of power to curry favor with influential donors or lobbyists.
• The president had to navigate the treacherous waters of the corridors of power to get his bill passed by Congress.
• The CEO was heavily criticized for using the corridors of power to advance her own personal agenda.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the early 20th century. It may have evolved from the literal meaning of "corridor" - a narrow passage or walkway that connects two or more areas. In this context, the corridors of power could refer to the pathways or connections between different decision-makers and power brokers within an organization or government.

Synonyms in English

• The halls of influence
• The seats of power
• The center of decision-making
• The hub of authority
• The heart of command

Synonyms in other languages

• ジャージモント (Jagmunt) - French for "palace" or "government building"
• 회사원들의 집에서 (Hwaebyeondeulsa jigeose) - Korean for "the corridors of power in the company"
• 政府의 앞면 (Jongguoegui saengmyeon) - Korean for "the front face of government"
• 폴리텍스 팀원들의 집에서 (Piltex teamondeulsa jigeose) - Korean for "the corridors of power in the political circles"
• 국가의 제품으로 세계적인 회사를 만든다 (Nagui eopbeureul saengyeong hoechiseul) - Korean for "making a global company through domestic products"

Similar Idioms

• red tape

• take aback

• tempest in a teapot