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Phrases related to: political

Yee yee! We've found 64 phrases and idioms matching political.

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political footballOngoing unproductive wrangling or posturing between political factions, resulting in failure to deal with an issue or problem in a decisive or appropriate way.Rate it:

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political footballA contentious political issue or problem that is often debated or discussed, but that remains unresolved; an issue or problem which is avoided by authorities and handed off to others.Rate it:

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charm offensiveA campaign of deliberately using charm and flattery in order to achieve some goal, especially in a political or diplomatic field.Rate it:

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flutter in the dovecoteI further argued that the principal cause for the political deadlock that persisted for thirty years after the guns fell silent was Israeli intransigence rather than Arab intransigence. The appearance of the first wave of revisionist studies excited a great deal of interest and controversy in the media and more than a flutter in the academic dovecote. — Israel Confronts Its Past.Rate it:

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foreign ministerPolitical or official representative person of one country in another country.Rate it:

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plus in re publica videreto possess great political insight.Rate it:

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run forTo try to obtain political position through the democratic voting process.Rate it:

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silly seasonA period of time, as during a holiday season or a political campaign, in which the behavior of an individual or group tends to become uncharacteristically frivolous, mirthful, or eccentric.Rate it:

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angle forTo try to obtain something by subtle indirect means. Political manoeuvres, suggestion, etc.Rate it:

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cross the floorTo vote against one's own political party in parliament.Rate it:

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fox in the henhouseA relationships wherein a predator is granted free reign within the prey's home confinement, often used in the political sense.Rate it:

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activist justiceA justice (usually referring to a member of a Supreme, High or Appellate court) who makes rulings based on personal political views or considerations rather than on the law, or who issues rulings intended to have political effects.Rate it:

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clout listA usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with those in authority.Rate it:

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divide and conquerA combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.(computing) Applied to various algorithms, such as quicksort, that solve a problem by splitting it recursively into smaller problems until all of the remaining problems are trivial.(as imperative, proverb) In order to rule securely, don't allow alliances of your enemies.Rate it:

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double talkLying, especially in a formal political statement.Rate it:

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smoke-filled roomA place where powerful people meet to decide a matter in secret, often of a political nature.Rate it:

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accedere, se conferre ad rem publicamto devote oneself to politics, a political career.Rate it:

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activist judgeA judge or justice who makes rulings based on personal political views or considerations rather than on the law, or who issues rulings intended to have political effects.Rate it:

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ad rei publicae rationes aliquid referreto consider a thing from a political point of view.Rate it:

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BallyhooB_S. /Blow-Hard,/ 'Blowing Smoke'/ Political PosturingRate it:

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big tentA group, philosophy, or social or political movement that encompasses or seeks to attract a broad range of members or constituents.Rate it:

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caucus raceA political competition; the game of campaigning and one-upmanship to get votes and be elected.Rate it:

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caucus raceThe competitive process in which a political party selects their candidate, esp. presidential; a primary election via caucus.Rate it:

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circular firing squadA political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.Rate it:

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consiliorum in re publica sociusa political ally.Rate it:

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cross the aisleTo vote, unite, or otherwise co-operate with members of another political party in order to achieve governmental or political action.Rate it:

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cross the aisleOf a member of a parliament, to resign from one's political party and join another party, resulting in moving from one's currently assigned desk or seat in the legislative chamber to a new desk or seat physically located with the other members of one's new party.Rate it:

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cross the floorOf a member of a parliament, to resign from one's political party and join another party, resulting in moving from one's currently assigned desk or seat in the legislative chamber to a new desk or seat physically located with the other members of one's new party.Rate it:

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diplomatic fluAn illness feigned by one or more government officials or other public figures as an excuse for an absence really based on political reasons.Rate it:

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dismal scienceNickname for economics or for the field of political economy.Rate it:

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EuropeA political entity; the European Union.Rate it:

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ex rei publicae dissensioneowing to political dissension.Rate it:

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grass rootsPeople and society at the local level rather than at the national centre of political activity.Rate it:

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grey powerThe collective political, economic, and social influence of senior citizens, especially when they are mobilized by a common interest.Rate it:

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hired gunA person who is employed to advance the interests of his or her employer, especially in a vigorous manner using such methods as political lobbying, legal advocacy, or persuasion.Rate it:

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hold someone's feet to the fireTo maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone in order to induce him or her to comply with one's desires; to hold someone accountable for his or her actions.Rate it:

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hold the reinsTo be in charge, to be in control, as of a business, political organization, or other group.Rate it:

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idem de re publica sentireto have the same political opinions.Rate it:

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it's not what you know but who you knowFor success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you knowRate it:

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lay of the landThe trends, feelings, intentions, and other factors influencing a strategic, political, or social situation.Rate it:

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longe prospicere futuros casus rei publicae (De Amic. 12. 40)to foresee political events long before.Rate it:

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loose cannonAn uncontrolled or unpredictable person who causes damage to his own friends, faction, political party, etc.Rate it:

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move the yardsticksTo make progress, as used in political and corporate venues to express proactive actions.Rate it:

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one country, two systemsSlogan for the reunification of China as one country, but with areas like Hong Kong and Taiwan with separate economic and political systems.Rate it:

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only Nixon could go to ChinaOnly a politician or leader with an impeccable reputation of upholding particular political values could do an action in seeming defiance of them without jeopardizing his support or credibility.Rate it:

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press the fleshTo shake hands and socialize, especially in a political gathering.Rate it:

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prudentia (civilis) (De Or. 1. 19. 85)statesmanship; political wisdom.Rate it:

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raucous caucus"Raucous caucus" is a playful and alliterative phrase often used to describe a noisy, energetic, or tumultuous gathering, especially in the context of political discussions or meetings. The term combines "raucous," meaning loud, disorderly, or boisterous, with "caucus," which refers to a group of people with shared political goals or opinions.Rate it:

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rei publicae causa (Sest. 47. 101)for political reasons.Rate it:

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rem publicam capessere (Off. 1. 21. 71)to devote oneself to politics, a political career.Rate it:

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