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
Of course, Holzman, Schwartz, Chu and the powers that be at Universal Pictures could conceivably plan a return to Oz.
—
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Having unwittingly helped the powers that be further their flying-monkey spying program, Elphaba — powerful, misunderstood, knows how to rock a pointy hat — has stolen the spell book known as the Grimmerie and declared war on the con artist known as Wizard.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
So until the powers that be determine a solution that works for all involved—and then enforce it—all a client/customer/patient can do is proceed with caution and ask the right questions.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025
And the sooner the powers that be make this seachange in their thinking, the better.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the powers that be
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Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Having unwittingly helped the powers that be further their flying-monkey spying program, Elphaba — powerful, misunderstood, knows how to rock a pointy hat — has stolen the spell book known as the Grimmerie and declared war on the con artist known as Wizard.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
So until the powers that be determine a solution that works for all involved—and then enforce it—all a client/customer/patient can do is proceed with caution and ask the right questions.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025
And the sooner the powers that be make this seachange in their thinking, the better.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 1 Dec. 2025.
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