corridors of power

Idioms and Phrases

The offices of powerful leaders. For example, As clerk to a Supreme Court justice, Jim thought he'd get his foot inside the corridors of power . This term was first used by C.P. Snow in his novel Homecomings (1956) for the ministries of Britain's Whitehall, with their top-ranking civil servants. Later it was broadened to any high officials.

Example Sentences

Which is why Andrew 'Ace' Buchan is the BBC's Green Sport Awards Evergreen Athlete for 2024 - for crashing in on a wave of consciousness and down the corridors of power around the world, to force critical change.

From BBC

Kid’s half-baked plan involves an underworld operation with national political designs, and it takes him to one of those dens of inequity that movies love, filled with slinky women, thuggish men and lines of white powder that lead to corridors of power.

From New York Times

The former Derby North MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Galloway's victory on Rochdale "will send shockwaves through the corridors of power".

From BBC

"He's now got a place in the corridors of power in Westminster."

From BBC

I want him on the screen doing his rant as an objector makes their way along the corridors of power being chased by the police.

From New York Times

Related Words

• hierarchy
• ruling class