movers and shakers

a mover and a shaker

A person who is able to get things done with their power, influence, or money. She thinks her father can get me into law school. Apparently he's quite a mover and a shaker. The conference is going to be full of movers and shakers of the industry, so I want to make a good impression.
See also: and, mover, shaker
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

movers and shakers

people who get things done; organizers and managers. The movers and shakers in this firm haven't exactly been working overtime. Who are the movers and shakers around here?
See also: and, mover, shaker
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

the movers and shakers

JOURNALISM
COMMON If you talk about the movers and shakers, you mean the people with power and influence in a particular area who make things happen and cause new developments. They were given introductions to the movers and shakers in the industry. Cochran was only 21, but in four short years had established himself as one of the movers and shakers of '50s rock'n'roll. Note: This comes from the poem `Ode' by Arthur O'Shaugnessy (1874): `We are the music-makers And we are the dreamers of dreams... We are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems.'
See also: and, mover, shaker
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

ˌmovers and ˈshakers

people with power in important organizations: He is one of the principle movers and shakers in the political arena.
See also: and, mover, shaker
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

movers and shakers

n. people who get things done; organizers and managers. The movers and shakers in this firm haven’t exactly been working overtime.
See also: and, mover, shaker
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

movers and shakers

Individuals with the power and/or influence to effect change. At first each of these nouns alluded specifically to God, but in the nineteenth century they began to be paired and applied to human beings. The OED quotes A. O’Shaughnessy’s Music and Moonlight (1874): “Yet we are the movers and shakers of the world forever, it seems.”
See also: and, mover, shaker
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • a mover and a shaker
  • a mover and shaker
  • a big cheese
  • every horse thinks its own pack heaviest
  • be not the full quid
  • if you don't mind me asking
  • if you don't mind my asking
  • be on the scent
  • be on the scent (of someone or something)
  • be out of (one's) senses
References in periodicals archive
To keep these Movers and Shakers segments in growth mode -- and light a fire under others -- retailers will need to heed the trends that are driving growth among the national brands, Viamari maintains.
Watch Them Soar
But not by attacking the movers and shakers, Bartimole grumbles.
Cleveland's gadfly
Click here to view "Movers and Shakers" - store brand food/beverage and non-food categories in .pdf.
Topping the non-foods Movers and Shakers list are store brand weight control candy/tablets, which posted a dollar sales increase of 142.4 percent to reach $6.8 million.
Ready, set, grow
Movers and Shakers is making a comeback after a decade but people have still not forgotten it primarily due to Shekhar's trademark style and wit.
SAB TV announces Movers & Shakers
Continuing a trend, this year brings significantly more "Movers and Shakers" -- store brand food/beverage and non-food categories and subcategories that posted dollar and unit sales increases of 5 percent or more and reached $5 million or more in sales -- than last year.
Ready, Set, Grow
Despite improvements in the economy, this year brings more "Movers and Shakers" - store brand food and non-food categories that posted dollar and unit sales increases of 5 percent or more and reached $5 million or more in sales - than last year.
Movin' on up
Trustee Wendy Siegel's exceptional leadership again produced an energetic, fun, must-attend event for the movers and shakers in the real estate industry.
More than $2.5 million raised at annual "winter's evening" dinner dance benefiting National Jewish Medical and Research Center
This year, almost 100 store brand food and non-food categories posted dollar and unit sales increases -- and total sales -- that meet our Movers and Shakers criteria.
Movin' On Up
Siegel were also acknowledged with the President's Award; each earned the award for their exceptional leadership, which has continued to make the Winter's Eve Gala the event to attend for movers and shakers.
Real estate industry leaders raise $2.4 million at winter's Eve Gala annual event benefits National Jewish Medical and Research Center
New York City's real estate movers and shakers gathered recently at the 36th Annual Urban Leadership Award Dinner, held by New York University's Real Estate Institute June 3rd at the newly refurbished World Financial Center Winter Garden.
NYU Real Estate Institute awards douglas durst 2003 urban leadership award
  Information in Movers and Shakers is provided by the submitter.
Colin Jesien and Kevin McHenry / Arnold Packaging
We also know about what businesses will open in the community because we are familiar with the movers and shakers."
Holmes & Kennedy turns 35
The Mov-n-Box division of MCB is headed by partner Mal Levy, who, when he introduced Mov-n-Box just last year, was touted by The Wall Street Journal for helping turn "the movers and shakers" into "renters" when it comes to relocation.
Making a move is made easier
He has developed a passion for working with startup and small business owners and his mission is to provide affordable legal and consulting services to firms on a budget by keeping overhead low and specializing in developing high-touch relationships with his clients Information in Movers and Shakers is provided by the submitter.
Scott Lloyd / Offit Kurman