grey suits

the men in gray suits

Collectively, the businesspersons, politicians, or government officials who make important decisions behind the scenes but who are unseen and unknown by the public. It's easy to get disillusioned as a voter when you know most decisions get made by the men in gray suits.
See also: gray, men, suit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(men in) grey ˈsuits

people working in politics, law, etc. who have power but are not known to the public: It will be the men in grey suits who decide whether the Prime Minister stays or goes.
See also: grey, suit
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the men in gray suits
  • lie doggo
  • virtual reality
  • spin machine
  • you all
  • off the radar
  • on/off the radar
  • what has been seen cannot be unseen
  • cat in the meal-tub
  • buy (something) sight unseen
References in classic literature
'Told me to collect it off the gentleman in the grey suit in the smoking-car.
It came to the turn of the man in the grey suit to transact his business at the counter.
The man in the grey suit got into an omnibus, going westward.
The man in the grey suit stopped the omnibus, and got out in Oxford Street.
The man in the grey suit has been thirty years in the chemist's service.
Shall I be a convict in a felt hat and a grey suit, trotting about a dockyard with my number neatly embroidered on my uniform, and the order of the garter on my leg, restrained from chafing my ankle by a twisted belcher handkerchief?
He lay back in it, with his eyes half shut, looking, as he always did, curiously buttoned up in a neat grey suit and fenced against the exuberance of a foreign climate which might at any moment proceed to take liberties with him.
He was wearing a grey suit, obviously bought ready- made, for it seemed too tight for his powerful frame.
For the rest, he was a young gentleman in a grey suit
So intent was I in watching this scene, that I hardly saw a flying figure in a light grey suit, who shot across from the back of the platform, and was on the line in another second.
At the second glance, however, I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my direction.
Medium grey suits are less formal than navy suits, and share a similar flexibility.
Simmons said that the Princess of Wales was absolutely terrified and very nervous that her enemies, dubbed "men in grey suits", had arranged for live mines to be planted on the minefield to blow her up.
Grey suits are a staple this winter Picture: Primark For a less formal party, swap the classic suit with something smart/casual Picture: Matalan Team a tailored shirt with stylish shoes Pictures: Matalan & Next
A dapper suit jacket and shirt guarantees style success this Christmas Picture: Next Team a light shirt with chinos and, below, black leather shoes look great with a suit Pictures: Jacamo & Next The humble cardigan can look good in both formal and informal situations Picture: Viyella Grey suits are a staple this winter Picture: Primark For a less formal party, swap the classic suit with something smart/casual Picture: Matalan