backroom
[bˈækrˌum] /ˈbak-ˈrüm How to pronounce backroom (audio) -ˈru̇m/ (ame, mw) · /ˌbækˈruːm/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈækrˌum] /ˌbækˈruːm/ (ame, ipa)
backroom — adjective
- backroompositive
- more backroomcomparative
- most backroomsuperlative
1. used for people, talks, or actions that stay hidden from public attention and in
used for people, talks, or actions that stay hidden from public attention and influence events quietly
Christopher denied making backroom promises to party donors.
collocation: backroom promises
Sayaka exposed a backroom deal over the new rail contract.
Parents protested backroom pressure on the principal after the budget vote.
The campaign relied on backroom talks instead of public meetings.
- secret
broader and less focused on hidden influence over decisions
- behind-the-scenes
close in meaning but often less negative in tone
- unofficial
can mean outside the formal system without implying quiet manipulation
- open
done where people can see or check the process
- public
carried out openly rather than in private
- transparent
emphasizes clear and honest procedure
文法句型
backroom deal
backroom talks
backroom pressure
backroom promises
用法筆記
Usually comes before nouns such as deal, talks, pressure, or promises. It suggests that influence is being used privately and away from normal public scrutiny.
常見錯誤
backroom — noun
- backroomsingular
- backroomsplural
1. a room at the back of a building, often used for storage, staff work, or private
a room at the back of a building, often used for storage, staff work, or private meetings
Felix stacked soup cans in the grocery store's backroom.
backroom as storage room
The dentist asked Noa to wait in the backroom for X-rays.
Putri wrapped cake boxes in a warm backroom behind the cafe.
Amira found the spare keys on a shelf in the backroom.
- showroom
a room arranged for customers or visitors to see
- front room
the room at the front rather than the rear
文法句型
in the backroom
the shop's backroom
the clinic backroom
用法筆記
Often refers to a work space behind a shop, clinic, restaurant, or office rather than a room used by customers. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about hidden control and private decision-making.
常見錯誤
2. the private place, or the powerful inner circle linked to it, where important mo
the private place, or the powerful inner circle linked to it, where important moves are planned away from public attention
Voters blamed the party backroom for the sudden leadership change.
metonymic use for hidden decision-makers
Roya was shut out while the union backroom chose the final candidate.
Reformers hoped to break up the city backroom before the next election.
The scandal showed how much the company's backroom still shaped policy.
- inner circle
focuses on the powerful group rather than the place tied to it
- power center
broader and not always secret
- establishment
wider political network, often beyond one room or group
- public forum
a place where discussion happens openly
- open process
decision-making visible to other people
文法句型
the party backroom
the union backroom
the company's backroom
用法筆記
Often appears in politics, unions, or large organizations. Distinguish from sense 1, which names a real room in a building; this sense highlights hidden influence and private control.