shadow cabinet

noun

1. (in the British Parliament) a group of prominent members of the opposition who are expected to hold positions in the cabinet when their party assumes power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shadow cabinet¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Diane Zeleny, a policy consultant and former foreign service officer, noted those assembled were the “shadow cabinet.”

From The Daily Beast

Yet, at the party conference and in Shadow Cabinet meetings and in Parliament, she regularly reduced these chaps to mush.

From The Daily Beast

In recent months, Cameron has sought to bulk up his shadow cabinet.

From The Daily Beast