The English language has a rich tapestry of phrases that can describe your work as a lobbyist.
Here is a selection. If you have more, send them, and I’ll add them.
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To commit political suicide: To do something that will end your political career, or throw yourself into the political wilderness.
Strange bedfellows: Unusual or unexpected political allies.
Ask for the sun, the moon and the stars: to ask for excessive or unreasonable political demands, and get none. Also, to promise the sun, the moon and stars and deliver nothing.
Fly too close to the sun. Don’t be too greedy or ambitous.
Shoot from the hip: A politician or lobbyist who acts/speaks impulsively with little to no thought, often without all the facts.
The Window of Opportunity. From Professor John W.Kingdom. The moment that the political window opens up to advance your case.
Snake oil salesman. Someone who sells ineffective or harmful political advice by deceptive means.
It is a sure thing: Often, the fevered imagination of a lobbyist promising support from a politician or member state, that never materialises.
I’ll take that on board: A common statement from politicians or officials to suggest that they’ll adopt your ideas, but in practice will ignore them.
I hear what you say. See above.
I don’t understand double Dutch: A remark that follows someone speaking gibberish.
I’ll raise that with my hierarchy: I’ll recommend that we reject this idea.
Can you please just clarify what you said? : Are you really politically insane? Can you please just say that again so that my colleagues and I did not hear you correctly?
Can you please send me the citation for your evidence? I don’t believe anything you have said and think your studies are made up.
Can you please explain the methodology behind your study?: I think you have made this up, and I am going to ignore it.
Can you please let me know where in this independent report your views don’t align? : A simple device to identify paid propaganda reports, compared to genuine independent assessments.
Are you a flat-earther: Someone who supports marginal and discredited ideas. Often linked with climate change deniers and anti-vaxers.
Blusterer: A politician or lobbyist who is loud and aggressive without any real substance.
(A Political) One-Night Stand: An alliance for a short period, usually on one issue, not to be repeated.
You know when they are lying when his/her lips move: To describe someone whose credibility is questionable.
They carry their national flag: An official in the Commission who has forgotten that they are meant to serve the Community’s interest, not their national capital.
The cheque is in the post; I’ll respect you in the morning; we are the government, and we are here to help: Lines to caution blind trust in political promises.
That’s a brave idea: A mad idea bound to fail.
A novel approach: An approach/recommendation lacking any basis to suggest it.
Away with the fairies: Someone expressing ideas that show they have lost touch with (political) reality.
The Roger Helmer Effect: To embrace a politician who nearly guarantees your cause is rejected by most politicians.
The (David) Cameron effect: To ask for the one thing you know others can’t give you, and to get nothing as a result.
The Orban effect: When the support of one country will help ensure your case is rejected by 26 to 25 others.
That’s an interesting provincial view: A narrow or old-fashioned view.
Your expert reminds me of Dr Ehardt Von Grpten Mundt: The smoking industry scientist in Thank You for Smoking.
You have something of the Nick Naylor about you: The smooth-talking Tobacco lobbyist in Thank You for Smoking.
Wailing at the clouds: Complaining about something that can’t be changed.
Come to us in the next planning cycle: We will discuss this in 5 years when the next Political Guidelines of the Commission are prepared.
Inter-Service Consultation: A historical reference to Collegiate decision-making.
A strong negative opinion: A double negative opinion by the RSB to a weak Impact Assessment that has little to no data or evidence, but is still likely to be waived through to adoption as a proposal.
You have solved the problem of knowledge: A compliment to those many officials and politicians who have solved Hayek’s problem of knowledge.
What about the sleeping dogs ?