inner circle

American  

noun

1. a small, intimate, and often influential group of people.

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Etymology

Origin of inner circle

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

He relies on an inner circle of advisers who are in their jobs to back up his decisions and make them happen.

From BBC

Vladimir Putin’s inner circle and other Kremlin functionaries live in highly-secure estates near the Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway west of Moscow, a suburban community dubbed “Moscow Beverly Hills.”

From Salon

He essentially became part of the inner circle of grief as the case, and the ensuing police manhunt, dominated the news cycle.

From BBC

The CIA turned back to former Chevron personnel who understood the insular working of Maduro’s inner circle and its convoluted oil sector.

From The Wall Street Journal

Plus there’s a lot of money to be made, particularly if he and his inner circle have placed their bets on the prediction markets or oil futures.

From Salon