power behind the throne

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Noun

power behind the throne (plural powers behind the throne or powers behind thrones)

1. (idiomatic) Someone who appears to be without special status, but who has great covert influence on a person in authority.

Translations

someone who has great covert influence

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 幕後掌權者／幕后掌权者 (mùhòu zhǎngquán zhě), 幕后掌权者 (mùhòu zhǎngquán zhě)

• Finnish: harmaa eminenssi (fi)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• French: éminence grise (fr) f
• Russian: се́рый кардина́л (ru) (séryj kardinál)

See also

• éminence grise
• power broker
• powers that be
• deep state