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
Never seems to really get fixed...but the powers that be don't seem to care....
—
Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Where working class folks stage electoral upsets against the powers that be.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
But that problem is also quickly resolved: The entire crew bands together to fight the powers that be on their boss’ behalf, so Massey remains captain of this ship.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 15 May 2025
At this month’s TVLine Spotlight event, Meloni addressed their wishes for the characters versus the powers that be’s creative decisions.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the powers that be
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Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Where working class folks stage electoral upsets against the powers that be.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
But that problem is also quickly resolved: The entire crew bands together to fight the powers that be on their boss’ behalf, so Massey remains captain of this ship.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 15 May 2025
At this month’s TVLine Spotlight event, Meloni addressed their wishes for the characters versus the powers that be’s creative decisions.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 20 Apr. 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 18 Jun. 2025.
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