He was, Mr Ferguson asserts, the best-read banker of all time and he was not shy about making his views known on a host of issues, whether in letters to the Times or, behind closed doors, as a confidant of political leaders.

ECONOMIST: Siegmund Warburg

The Task Force suggested the application of sanctions in two stages, with the threat of "a warning, a fine or the playing of a match behind closed doors" for "a first or minor offence".

CNN: FIFA Task Force outlines anti-racism fight

Instead, decisions on who can display, or who gets commissions, are made behind closed doors and announced later.

ECONOMIST: Fancy some fruit instead?

There's not much point wishing one had been a mosca on the wall at the Madrid meeting--it's pretty clear what went on--or didn't go on--after the doors closed behind the globe's third-richest man and Solbes.

FORBES: Magazine Article

After decades of stitching up party elections behind closed doors, the ANC is finding it hard to become more open without rancour or greed.

ECONOMIST: South Africa

To prevent private information from leaking, Mr. Floyd said he and management now have conversations behind closed doors, rather than sharing even benign information in public places, like the hallway or an open office.

WSJ: Job Fears Make Offices All Ears