the powers that be

US /ðə ˈpaʊərz ðæt biː/
UK /ðə ˈpaʊərz ðæt biː/
"the powers that be" picture
1.

the people who are in control or who have authority

:
We need to get approval from the powers that be before we can proceed.
It seems the powers that be have decided to cut the budget.