grand poobah

grand poobah

The most important or powerful person in a group, organization, business, or movement (e.g., the boss, leader, etc.). I think it sounds like a great idea, but you'll have to ask the grand poobah first.
See also: grand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a big kahuna
  • big kahuna
  • big enchilada
  • give up the ghost
  • give up the ghost, to
  • a catch to (something)
  • Sounds like a winner!
  • double Dutch
  • a little leery
  • sound
References in periodicals archive
Yet over the last fifteen years or so, its swelling riches has seen it transform from an ally of the rest to the Grand Poobah itself.
India defeat Australia in 'Battle of the Bullies'
If you can make it through the sluggish start (five long, poorly structured episodes), things improve in Episode 6, as June/Ofjoseph is summoned to Washington, D.C., and the home of the high grand poobah Commander Winslow (Christopher Meloni).
Is Hulu's 'The Handmaid's Tale' getting boring?
Before he was tossed out of the film academy after a storm of sexual harassment and sexual abuse allegations, Weinstein was for the last two decades the grand poobah of the Oscars.
Oscars to bring an unpredictable awards season to a close
It is now, named as such by the (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Poobah) Grand Poobah across the great ocean, a Jewish city that is the capital of a Jewish nation.
Trump Speech 'Irresponsible and Reckless'
Compilations are pretty hit and miss, but Swami Records Grand Poobah John Reis delivers the hits with this San Diego-focused platter.
Notes from the underground
The grand poobah of Hollywood's dining scene thanks to his once-revolutionary Spago, Puck has fed the entertainment industry's elite since the early 1980s, catered the Academy Awards' Governors Ball for 20 years and lent his name to restaurants around the world.
Beyond the kitchen: these gastronomic celebs have placed their culinary stamp across multiple platfoms, built restaurant empires and advanced the foodie conversation
I figured since every gasbag from the president to the Grand Poobah of Putterville has recently delivered their State of the Union, State of the State, State of the City and State of the Snollygoster speeches, why shouldn't I?
The "state of the Sandpile" address: just takin' my turn at the annual gasbaggery ..
He was the king, the Grand Poobah. So it does feel odd for me to be going, "Here's what I'm looking for, John".
I'dlike myfilms tostand thetest of time; IN THE HOTSEAT George Clooney's new film The Monuments Men is a true story of art experts risking their lives to rescue Europe's treasures from Hitler. MARION MCMULLEN talks war movies, and his legacy with Hollywood's leading man
The ' other' side has taken it upon itself to run a presidential campaign, with Modi as the grand poobah of anything that goes right for the BJP over the next year.
Bringing the Prince to the people WHIPLASH
Yet for those looking for something substantive, there can only be measured hope that his replacement, former justice minister and now Grand Poobah of all things martial, Rob Nicholson, will raise the bar beyond Pistol Pete's lofty standards.
More than words
It was a trip that almost didn't happen, but thanks to the brotherhood of anglers, my friend Steve being the Grand Poobah, it turned out to be one of the best I have ever been on.
A friend on and off the water: this buddy comes through in a very big way
Abe Foxman, Grand Poobah of the Anti-Defamation League, complained to Joel Stein of Time that "the number of people who think Jews run Hollywood is still too high," when, as Stein easily demonstrated, it's pretty damn obvious that Hollywood is and always has been, for better and for worse, controlled by people who happen to be Jews.
Hiding truths from the Goyim--and ourselves
"Trevor (Bonilla), the Grand Poobah of brewers' festivals, and I went to the Connecticut River Brewers' Festival and got inspired," said David J.
Brew fest lets the suds flow along the riverfront
Valenzano, Jr.--President, CEO and Grand Poobah of EP Global Communications, Inc.--was hanging out at my house in San Diego about a week before the Oscars kicked off.
Living with a disability
When the grand poobah Ph.D.s of education stand up and blow, they speak with great confidence about theories of teaching, and considering the test results, the bums ought to be thrown out.
If you want to improve schools, you must have faith