higher-ups
Those in charge
Higher-ups are people in positions of authority above you in an organization or hierarchy.
The term implies a chain of command where decisions flow downward: The higher-ups decided to cut the budget.
It's informal and often carries mild skepticism or distance toward management: I don't know why—ask the higher-ups.
Managers or raised studs
- executivesSenior corporate officers
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- superiorsThose of higher rank
- supervisorsThose who oversee workers
leadership · brass · top brass · chain of command · corporate ladder · pecking order · ranks · seniority
Having special advantages
- powerfulHaving great strength
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- wealthyHaving abundant financial resources
- well-connectedHaving influential contacts
establishment · ruling class · old guard · insiders · gatekeepers · power brokers · movers and shakers · VIPs
Energy transfer rate
- controlAuthority to direct
- influencePower to affect others
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
governance · mandate · approval · sign-off · authorization · veto · final say · discretion
Instructions to obey
- instructionsGuidance on how to proceed
- decisionsConclusions reached after consideration
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
- directivesFormal commands or instructions
decrees · edicts · dictates · pronouncements · memos · policies · guidelines · marching orders
bosses
Managers or raised studs
- executivesSenior corporate officers
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- superiorsThose of higher rank
supervisors · leadership · brass · top brass · chain of command · corporate ladder · pecking order · ranks · seniority · org chart
privileged
Having special advantages
- powerfulHaving great strength
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- wealthyHaving abundant financial resources
well-connected · establishment · ruling class · old guard · insiders · gatekeepers · power brokers · movers and shakers · VIPs · bigwigs
power
Energy transfer rate
- controlAuthority to direct
- influencePower to affect others
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
jurisdiction · governance · mandate · approval · sign-off · authorization · veto · final say · discretion · clout
orders
Instructions to obey
- instructionsGuidance on how to proceed
- decisionsConclusions reached after consideration
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
directives · decrees · edicts · dictates · pronouncements · memos · policies · guidelines · marching orders · communication
higher-upssubordinates
Those ranked below
underlings · rank and file · inferiors · grunts · minions