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
As major league owners meet this week to plot strategy, the powers that be will consider the probable push for a salary cap.
—
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Sadly, Halo's popularity has dwindled in recent years, but instead of marching towards the future, the powers that be are convinced that returning to the series' origins is what most fans demand.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
This also gives them a chance to impress the powers that be in games against major league talent.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
TeGantvoort told the powers that be that there’s a huge demographic of movie goers that like cult films, but have to travel to Denton or Dallas to satisfy their fix.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
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Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Sadly, Halo's popularity has dwindled in recent years, but instead of marching towards the future, the powers that be are convinced that returning to the series' origins is what most fans demand.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
This also gives them a chance to impress the powers that be in games against major league talent.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
TeGantvoort told the powers that be that there’s a huge demographic of movie goers that like cult films, but have to travel to Denton or Dallas to satisfy their fix.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
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 14 Feb. 2026.
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