big wigs
People in charge
Big wigs are important or powerful people, especially those in positions of authority: The big wigs from corporate are visiting next week.
The term carries a slightly mocking tone, suggesting self-importance or distance from ordinary workers.
Also spelled as one word: bigwigs.
Senior corporate officers
- CEOsHighest corporate officers
- CFOsCorporate fiscal executives
- COOsSenior operations executives
- chairpersonsMeeting leaders, formally titled
directors · boardroom · presidents · vice-presidents · shareholders · tycoons · captains of industry · managing directors
Collective opinion of someone
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- renownWidespread acclaim and recognition
eminence · prominence · stature · standing · celebrity · fame · influence · respect
Advocating to decision-makers
- cloutInformal power or punch
- swayRock back and forth
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- pullForce toward oneself
connections · networking · kingmakers · backroom · deal-making · string-pulling · agenda-setting · movers and shakers
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- patriciansHereditary ruling class
- bluebloodsHereditary upper class
upper class · high society · jet set · glitterati · socialites · privileged · affluent · wealthy
How authority is exercised
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
command · regulation · supervision · dominance · sovereignty · bureaucracy · stewardship · executive power
executives
Senior corporate officers
chairpersons · directors · boardroom · presidents · vice-presidents · shareholders · tycoons · captains of industry · managing directors · chief executives
reputation
Collective opinion of someone
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
renown · eminence · prominence · stature · standing · celebrity · fame · influence · respect · cachet
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
pull · connections · networking · kingmakers · backroom · deal-making · string-pulling · agenda-setting · movers and shakers · powerbrokers
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- patriciansHereditary ruling class
bluebloods · upper class · high society · jet set · glitterati · socialites · privileged · affluent · wealthy · oligarchs
governance
How authority is exercised
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
jurisdiction · command · regulation · supervision · dominance · sovereignty · bureaucracy · stewardship · executive power · decision-making
- metonymsWall Street, Hollywood, the Kremlin, Capitol Hill, Downing Street
- VIPscelebrities, superstars, head of state, stars, legend
big wigslittle guys
Powerless ordinary people
nobodies · small fry · underlings · peons · minions
big wigsnobodies
Unimportant, unknown persons
nonentities · unknowns · small potatoes · lightweights · bit players