the powers that be
US /ðə ˈpaʊərz ðæt biː/
UK /ðə ˈpaʊərz ðæt biː/

1.
当权者, 掌权者
the people who are in control or who have authority
:
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We need to get approval from the powers that be before we can proceed.
在继续之前,我们需要得到当权者的批准。
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It seems the powers that be have decided to cut the budget.
看来当权者已经决定削减预算。