powers-that-be
UK[ˌpaʊəz ðət ˈbiː]US[ˌpaʊərz ðət ˈbiː]
noun phrase
The people or groups who hold the real authority and control in a society, organization, or situation, especially when seen as remote or unresponsive.
Etymology
The phrase originates from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically from the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 13:1) in William Tyndale's 1526 English translation: "Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God." Here, "the powers that be" was a direct translation of the Greek phrase "αἱ οὖσαι ἐξουσίαι" (hai ousai exousiai), meaning "the existing authorities." The phrase entered general English usage as a fixed expression, losing its specific theological context to refer broadly to established authority in any sphere. Its archaic, third-person plural subjunctive verb "be" gives it a formal, slightly impersonal, and often critical tone when describing those in control.
Analysis
This is a fixed noun phrase derived from a biblical quotation. It is not productively formed from separable modern English morphemes for the purpose of this analysis.
Examples
The local activists protested against the decision made by the powers-that-be.
Young innovators often struggle to get their ideas approved by the corporate powers-that-be.
The reform was ultimately blocked by the political powers-that-be.