political maneuvering
Backroom deal-making
Political maneuvering is strategic action taken to gain advantage in politics or any competitive situation.
It suggests calculated moves, often behind the scenes, to outflank opponents or secure favorable outcomes: The bill passed only after weeks of political maneuvering.
The phrase implies shrewdness and sometimes manipulation—working the system rather than making direct arguments.
- smoke-filled roomsSecretive political decision-making venues
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- filibusteringProlonged speech blocking legislation
- dark moneyUndisclosed political contributions
- horse-tradingShrewd, tough negotiating
corruption · lobbying · pulling strings · patronage · backroom deals · agenda-setting · propaganda · nepotism · power play · populism · brinkmanship · gerrymandering · framing · quid pro quo · vote buying · rhetoric · cronyism · conflicts of interest
- court intrigueintrigue, plots, schemes, plotting, conspiracy
- political tacticscampaigning, gerrymandering, filibuster, campaigns, voter suppression
- power tacticspower play, power grab, strong-arm, strong-arming, strongarm
- office politicsbackstabbing, power plays, favoritism, nepotism, politicking
political maneuveringplain dealing
Honest, straightforward conduct
transparency · candor · straight talk · openness · forthrightness
political maneuveringspontaneity
Acting without forethought
impulsiveness · authenticity · shooting from the hip · guilelessness · artlessness
political maneuveringprincipled stand
Position held despite pressure
moral leadership · integrity · idealism · statesmanship · ethical conduct
political, politic, politics, politically, politicize, politicized, politicization, politician, politicians