charmed circle
Exclusive inner circle
A charmed circle is an exclusive group of privileged or favored people, often with social influence or special access: She longed to break into the charmed circle of literary New York.
The phrase suggests both the allure of belonging and the invisible barriers keeping outsiders out.
The charm implies something almost magical about the group's status or protection.
- eliteSuperior select group
- power eliteSociety's dominant influencers
- belongingState of fitting in
- velvet ropeLuxurious crowd-control barrier
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
aristocracy · country club · tradition · nepotism · boundary · alienation · caste · hierarchy · canon · gatekeeping · closed shop · glass ceiling · social climber · enclave · aura · sanctuary · halo · in-group
charmed circleoutsiders
Those not belonging
pariahs · outcasts · persona non grata · untouchables · exiles
charmed circlethe masses
Common populace collectively
hoi polloi · common people · rank and file · the common people · ordinary people
charm, charmed, charming, charmingly, charms, charmer, charmless, circle, circles