powers that be
Those in charge
The powers that be are the authorities in control—those who hold decision-making power in a given context.
The phrase acknowledges their influence without naming them specifically: The powers that be decided to close the factory.
It often carries a note of resignation or mild criticism, implying faceless bureaucracy or distant authority figures whose decisions affect ordinary people.
Superior select group
- oligarchyRule by few
- status quoExisting condition of affairs
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
- regimeSystem of governance
old guard · ruling class · system · political class · plutocracy · aristocracy · deep state · insiders
Social dominance arrangement
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- echelonsLevels within a hierarchy
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
top brass · higher-ups · leadership · upper echelon · decision-makers · brass · bigwigs · head honchos
Authority to direct
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- dominionAuthority to rule
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
sway · tyranny · despotism · autocracy · totalitarianism · overlordship · stranglehold · iron fist
Advocating to decision-makers
- cloutInformal power or punch
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- pressureForce upon contact
pull · networking · advocacy · backroom deals · patronage · cronyism · favoritism · nepotism
Legal authority's scope
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
sanction · edict · decree · authorization · ruling · directive · ordinance · pronouncement
elite
Superior select group
- oligarchyRule by few
- status quoExisting condition of affairs
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
regime · old guard · ruling class · system · political class · plutocracy · aristocracy · deep state · insiders · kingmakers
pecking order
Social dominance arrangement
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- echelonsLevels within a hierarchy
- rankingOrdered position assignment
stratification · top brass · higher-ups · leadership · upper echelon · decision-makers · brass · bigwigs · head honchos · top dogs
control
Authority to direct
command · sway · tyranny · despotism · autocracy · totalitarianism · overlordship · stranglehold · iron fist · iron grip
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- cloutInformal power or punch
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
pressure · pull · networking · advocacy · backroom deals · patronage · cronyism · favoritism · nepotism · connections
jurisdiction
Legal authority's scope
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
oversight · sanction · edict · decree · authorization · ruling · directive · ordinance · pronouncement · dictate
powers that becommon people
Non-elite members of society
ordinary citizens · powerless · the masses · underclass · proletariat
powers that bevoiceless
Having no voice
marginalized · oppressed · silenced · dissenters · outsiders
power, powerful, empower, powerless, powers, powerfully, empowered, empowering, potentate