clique
noun [ C, + sing/pl verb ] disapproving uk/kliːk/ us/klɪk/
小集团，小圈子;派系
a small group of people who spend their time together and do not welcome other people into that group
Our golf club is run by a very unfriendly clique (of people). 我们的高尔夫球俱乐部是由一小撮很不友好的家伙管理的。
There's a clique at work that never talks/who never talk to anyone else. 单位有个小集团，他们从来不和其他人说话。
Synonym: coterie
Compare: inner circle