Smoke-Filled Room Meaning

(idiomatic) A place where powerful people meet to decide a matter in secret, often of a political nature.

Example: Used other than as an idiom: see smoke,‎ filled,‎ room.
2009, Robert McCrum, "No Tóibín, no Trevor? Yes, it's time for more Booker controversy", The Guardian:
  In its first decade, prize business was settled in the smoke-filled rooms of London clubs, where it remained resolutely insular.
2013, Ted Cruz, "Ted Cruz Punches Back", National Review:
  If the forums in which we make this case consist of the smoke-filled rooms of Washington, the votes aren't there.