brass hat
High-ranking officer
A brass hat is a high-ranking military officer, from the gold braid decorating their caps.
The term extends to any important official or executive, often with a hint of condescension: The brass hats in Washington don't understand conditions on the ground.
Related to the brass as collective slang for leadership.
Widespread, not specialized
- admiralSenior naval commander
- colonelSenior military officer
- commanderPerson with authority over others
- marshalArrange in proper order
officer · pentagon · rank · insignia · uniform · service · army · navy
One's relative position
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
honor · recognition · esteem · dignity · importance · position · standing · clout
Influential, important person
big cheese · big shot · stuffed shirt · pencil pusher · desk jockey · armchair general · paper pusher · rear echelon
Ranked authority structure
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
administration · bureaucracy · directorship · chain of command · seniority · establishment · old guard · upper echelon
general
Widespread, not specialized
- admiralSenior naval commander
- colonelSenior military officer
- commanderPerson with authority over others
marshal · officer · pentagon · rank · insignia · uniform · service · army · navy · air force
status
One's relative position
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
reputation · honor · recognition · esteem · dignity · importance · position · standing · clout · influence
bigwig
Influential, important person
honcho · big cheese · big shot · stuffed shirt · pencil pusher · desk jockey · armchair general · paper pusher · rear echelon
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
oversight · administration · bureaucracy · directorship · chain of command · seniority · establishment · old guard · upper echelon · management
brass hatenlisted soldier
Non-officer in armed forces
private · enlisted man · grunt · foot soldier · rank and file
brass hatunderling
Person of lower rank
subordinate · rank and file · worker bee · peon · minion