the powers that be
idiom
: the people who decide what is allowed or acceptable in a group, organization, etc.
The students wanted to have a big party, but the powers that be didn't approve.
Examples of the powers that be in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How Did 'Squid Game' Season 2 End? After seemingly making progress in his mission to topple the powers that be behind the bloody games, Gi-hun ended Season 2 emotionally broken.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
The shtick was that the powers that be had changed their minds after seeing a recut version.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
And lo, the powers that be looked upon the land that all creatures bright and beautiful did tread, and declared: Let there be a holiday-release prequel!
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
My understanding has always been that the relic trade is loosely tolerated by the powers that be (many of whom have some pretty choice relics of their own), because one of the sneakiest ways authoritarian societies thrive is by letting their subjects get away with petty rebellions.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
The shtick was that the powers that be had changed their minds after seeing a recut version.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
And lo, the powers that be looked upon the land that all creatures bright and beautiful did tread, and declared: Let there be a holiday-release prequel!
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
My understanding has always been that the relic trade is loosely tolerated by the powers that be (many of whom have some pretty choice relics of their own), because one of the sneakiest ways authoritarian societies thrive is by letting their subjects get away with petty rebellions.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the powers that be
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Cite this Entry
“The powers that be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20powers%20that%20be. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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