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
:
•
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。
•
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。