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
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But the weightless and unimaginative action feels less cinematic than theme park-y, as if the powers that be at Sony had jumped several steps ahead in their efforts to grow this into a global juggernaut franchise.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
Earlier this month, the powers that be (who are clearly horny), renewed Heated Rivalry for a second season.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 22 Dec. 2025
Also, the powers that be want aircraft to be easy to evacuate in an emergency.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025
No matter how terrible things are, they can only be made worse by giving up and letting the powers that be have it their own way.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the powers that be
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Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
Earlier this month, the powers that be (who are clearly horny), renewed Heated Rivalry for a second season.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 22 Dec. 2025
Also, the powers that be want aircraft to be easy to evacuate in an emergency.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025
No matter how terrible things are, they can only be made worse by giving up and letting the powers that be have it their own way.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 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 30 Dec. 2025.
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