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
If only the powers that be at Disney invested the same energy that goes into those never-ending Marvel productions and better championed this gem, led by the underrated Ben Wang and Jimmy Liu.
—
Ew Staff, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Arbeloa enjoys excellent relationships with the powers that be at the Bernabéu and has been tipped to have a role in the first team in the near future following Ancelotti's exit, whenever that may come, in some capacity, even if that may initially be as an assistant coach.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
The fact that she was soundly defeated with the help of more Black defections than expected should cause the powers that be to recalibrate.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Studio commissaries, cafeterias and executive dining rooms long have been spaces to surreptitiously goggle at visiting talent as well as places to be seen with the powers that be for girding one’s position in the corporate pecking order.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the powers that be 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ew Staff, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Arbeloa enjoys excellent relationships with the powers that be at the Bernabéu and has been tipped to have a role in the first team in the near future following Ancelotti's exit, whenever that may come, in some capacity, even if that may initially be as an assistant coach.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
The fact that she was soundly defeated with the help of more Black defections than expected should cause the powers that be to recalibrate.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Studio commissaries, cafeterias and executive dining rooms long have been spaces to surreptitiously goggle at visiting talent as well as places to be seen with the powers that be for girding one’s position in the corporate pecking order.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the powers that be
Dictionary Entries Near the powers that be
Cite this Entry
“The powers that be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20powers%20that%20be. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share