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
The renewal is especially great news for the cast, which has been vocal about their love for the series and their desire to keep going as long as the powers that be allow them too.
—
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Hov recently attempted to expand his business imprint domestically, in addition to advising the powers that be overseas.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether riders need audio is debated among the powers that be at MotoGP, and among fans.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
Because, the powers that be in the Democrat Party don’t want poor Katie.
—John Phillips, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
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Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Hov recently attempted to expand his business imprint domestically, in addition to advising the powers that be overseas.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether riders need audio is debated among the powers that be at MotoGP, and among fans.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
Because, the powers that be in the Democrat Party don’t want poor Katie.
—John Phillips, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 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 3 Nov. 2025.
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