C2idiompoliticsIELTS-friendly
a smoking gun
USUK
clear evidence that proves someone did something wrong
Common in news about investigations and scandals, often in the negative: 'There was no smoking gun.'
In context
The leaked emails were the smoking gun that proved the minister had lied.
Investigators found plenty of clues, but no smoking gun.
More idioms about politics
- a double standarda rule applied more strictly to one group than to another
- a grey areaa situation where the rules are unclear, so nobody is sure what is allowed
- a hidden agendaa secret reason or plan behind what someone says or does
- a hot potatoa difficult issue that people disagree about and nobody wants to deal with
- a lame ducka politician or government with little real power, often near the end of a term in office