powers that be

Noun

Meaning

the powers that be pl (plural only)

(idiomatic) The holders of power or the authorities in a given situation, especially if seen as being faceless or unreasonably bureaucratic.

powers-that-be

(plural only) Alternative spelling of powers that be

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Alternative names

powers-that-be

Synonyms

directorate big brother government authority authorities regime establishment hierarchy bureaucracy city hall them officialdom power structure officialism

Examples

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be. Sydney J. Harris

Yet the powers that be haven't quite considered the strength of our sheer numbers. Margaret Cho

If the education of our kids comes from radio, television, newspapers - if that's where they get most of their knowledge from, and not from the schools, then the powers that be are definitely in charge, because they own all those outlets. Maynard James Keenan

Perhaps the best definition of progress would be the continuing efforts of men and women to narrow the gap between the convenience of the powers that be and the unwritten charter. Nadine Gordimer

I always feel like hard work leads the way, and from there, I leave it up to the powers that be. James Wolk

We have entered an era vibrating with the din of small voices. Every citizen can be a reporter, can take on the powers that be. Matt Drudge

Close letter words and terms

powers conferred on powers of observation powers of reasoning powersaw bench powerset powersharing