powers-that-be
Those in charge
The powers-that-be are the people or institutions in authority—those who control decisions and resources.
The phrase acknowledges authority without naming it specifically, often with a hint of resignation or mild contempt: The powers-that-be decided to close the library.
I submitted my request and waited for the powers-that-be to rule on it.
Authority over a state
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- officialsThose holding formal power
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- regimeSystem of governance
bureaucracy · cabinet · ministers · parliament · senate · legislature · judiciary · diplomats
Dominant cultural current
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- insidersThose with special access
- gatekeepersThose controlling entry
- entrenchedFirmly established, resistant to change
incumbents · apparatchiks · mandarins · kingmakers · powerbrokers · machine · decision-makers
Rule by few
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
privileged · wealthy · tycoons · magnates · barons · financiers · industrialists · bourgeoisie
Informal power or punch
- swayRock back and forth
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- pullForce toward oneself
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
pressure · manipulation · patronage · nepotism · cronyism · favoritism · connections · access
Supervision or inadvertent omission
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
dominion · grip · stranglehold · mandate · jurisdiction · authority · sanction · veto
government
Authority over a state
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- officialsThose holding formal power
- leadershipAbility to direct others
regime · bureaucracy · cabinet · ministers · parliament · senate · legislature · judiciary · diplomats · governors
mainstream
Dominant cultural current
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- insidersThose with special access
- gatekeepersThose controlling entry
entrenched · incumbents · apparatchiks · mandarins · kingmakers · powerbrokers · machine · decision-makers
oligarchy
Rule by few
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
- nobilityTitled ruling class
upper-class · privileged · wealthy · tycoons · magnates · barons · financiers · industrialists · bourgeoisie · moneyed
clout
Informal power or punch
lobbying · pressure · manipulation · patronage · nepotism · cronyism · favoritism · connections · access · networks
oversight
Supervision or inadvertent omission
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
command · dominion · grip · stranglehold · mandate · jurisdiction · authority · sanction · veto · decree
powers-that-becommon people
Non-elite members of society
ordinary citizens · rank and file · hoi polloi · grassroots · plebeians
powers-that-berevolutionaries
Those seeking systemic overthrow
dissidents · rebels · outsiders · anti-establishment · insurgents
powers-that-besubjects
Areas of study
subordinates · pawns · serfs · underlings · minions
power, powers, powered, powering, powerful, powerfully, powerless, powerlessness, empower