inner circle

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

inner circle (plural inner circles)

1. (idiomatic) The group comprising one's closest friends or associates.
   • 1921, Edward W. Bok, The Americanization of Edward Bok:

     It was upon his return to London that Bok learned, through the confidence of a member of the British “inner circle,” the amazing news that the war was practically over: that Bulgaria had capitulated and was suing for peace; […]

   • 2023 October 5, Victoria Bekiempis, “FTX co-founder testifies he committed crimes with Sam Bankman-Fried”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:

     Sassoon used the close relationship of Yedidia and Bankman-Fried to explore the FTX inner circle’s luxe lifestyle and allege how it hid a house of cards.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see inner,‎ circle.