machination plotting By time-honoured methods of mandarin machination the Treasury succeeded in getting the Department abolished in 1966 . usually plHe had grown up living in a web of deceit , he was used to his mother's machinations , had grown accustomed to her lies . I must repeat , I have no political motives , I'm not in the least interested in the dismal machinations of politicians . The machinations of corporate sharks were a slightly hazy area in her experience .