back room
or back·room
- a room located in the rear, especially one used only by certain people.
- a place where powerful or influential persons, especially politicians, meet to plan secretly or from which they exercise control in an indirect manner: The candidate for mayor was chosen in the precincts' back rooms.
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Origin of back room
First recorded in 1585–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for backroom
Contemporary Examples
It was reminiscent of the old days of backroom politics and half-drunk reporters swaying against their typewriters.
I thought it would be hidden, out in the woods, or some kind of backroom deal.
I want Missourians to make a choice in this election based on policy, not backroom politics.
Abortion Opponents and Many Democrats Want Todd Akin to Stay in Senate RacePatricia Murphy
August 21, 2012
In our political system, presidents are not empowered to promise to launch wars in backroom negotiations with foreign leaders.
Obama Needs U.S. Debate Before Making Pledges to Israel About Attacking IranPeter Beinart
August 20, 2012
The tightly controlled choreography stirred the emotions while celebrating the unsung heroes of the backroom.
Historical Examples
He had also meant to do general repair work in the backroom shop.
The Planet StrappersRaymond Zinke Gallun
You must fancy Henry in the backroom upstairs, and I am generally there also, working or writing.
Jane Austen, Her Life and LettersWilliam Austen-Leigh and Richard Arthur Austen-Leigh
On arriving at the huckster's, he found him in the backroom, or parlor, to which we have before alluded.
The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of BallytrainWilliam Carleton
On his way back, he noticed there were two others in the backroom, a couple of men gnawing on pretzels over beers.
Lamb worked his way up into the throng and got a glimpse of the other guy getting stiff on the backroom floor.
back room
- a place where research or planning is done, esp secret research in wartime
- (as modifier)back-room boys
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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