power behind the throne

the power behind the throne

The person or group who has true control or a great influence on one in control, but is not officially or publicly in charge. The president's charisma and likability got him elected, but his team of advisors is the real power behind the throne.
See also: behind, power, throne
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

power behind the throne

Fig. the person who actually controls the person who is apparently in charge. Mr. Smith appears to run the shop, but his brother is the power behind the throne. They say that the vice president is the power behind the throne.
See also: behind, power, throne
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

power behind the throne

A person with great influence who stays behind the scenes and has no apparent authority. For example, Harry may be the CEO, but it's obvious that his wife is the power behind the throne. [Mid-1800s]
See also: behind, power, throne
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the power behind the throne

If you describe someone as the power behind the throne, you mean that they are really the person that has power although another person is officially in charge. She was the real power behind the throne, a strong and determined woman controlling a weaker husband for her own aims.
See also: behind, power, throne
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

power behind the throne

a person who exerts authority or influence without having formal status.
See also: behind, power, throne
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

power behind the throne, the

An individual with so much influence on a king, president, or other nominal leader that he or she is the de facto leader. The idea, although certainly much older, was first expressed in this way by William Pitt in a 1770 speech: “There is something behind the throne greater than the King himself.” Among the numerous historical examples are the Russian monk Rasputin, who had enormous sway over his country’s last czar, and First Lady Nancy Reagan, who was believed to have similar influence on President Ronald Reagan. See also gray eminence.
See also: behind, power
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • power behind the throne, the
  • the power behind the throne
  • regain (something) from (one)
  • regain from
  • battle for
  • control freak
  • freak
  • rage out of control
  • whistle (something) down the wind
  • whistle something down the wind
References in periodicals archive
26 September 2011 - UK biotechnology company E-therapeutics plc (AIM:ETX) said today that it has obtained a US patent for a further key process in its drug discovery platform, called Power behind the Throne.
E-therapeutics obtains patent for drug discovery platform in USA
For some time, analysts believed Egyptian-born Al Zawari was operating as the power behind the throne in Al Qaeda.
Comment
"She would be the nominal leader but he would be the real power behind the throne."
BNP LEADER GROOMS HIS DAUGHTER FOR TOP JOB; New face of evil
"By characterizing both Reagan and Clinton as the 'power behind the throne,' journalists questioned the extent of their influence as presidential advisors, often implying that these women wielded too much political power.
First Ladies and the Fourth Estate: Press Framing of Presidential Wives
Today the majority of women at the helm are first ladies (perhaps the power behind the throne?).
Is Estonia really a Nordic country? The female factor
Despite handing over the top Kremlin job to Medvedev, Putin is still considered by many to be the power behind the throne in Russia.
U.S. relations with Russia can improve, Obama tells Putin
Cecil Balmond's show at Louisiana reveals the inventive engineering power behind the throne of starchitecture.
Number nine dream
Although she said that in her personal life she wasn't much like the doting Margaret Andersen, she defended the show's portrayal of idealized family life and said her character wasn't subordinate, but acted as "the power behind the throne."
Wyatt was much-loved mom
Cheney, like DeLay, has been the power behind the throne. And when the time comes for hard decisions, Bush, like Hastert, is AWOL.In the Foley case, the Republicans are especially vulnerable, because they have made a fetish of traditional values--one of which is hiding homosexuality in the closet and bashing it publicly while protecting closeted Republican gays.
Same song, different scandal
Constance also desired to be the power behind the throne by replacing John with her son Arthur, but she was dependent on the French court.
King John
Figures in the education sector would mention the name Andrew Adonis as the power behind the throne.
Perspective: Shadowy figure who is the real power in education
Their power behind the throne in Washington, Grover Norquist, recently explained to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo:
The un-American generation
Second, he plays up Cheney as the power behind the throne. He shows that Cheney, even before Bush was inaugurated, demanded options for dealing with Iraq.
Letting Bush off easy
He knows when to be out front and he knows when to be in the shadow, to be the power behind the throne." Staller's ability to assemble and lead a talented staff at FFA did not escape Fischer's notice, or that Staller understands when to let staff run with a project.
A career of leadership: Bernie Staller, chief operating officer of the National FFA Organization, has been named the 2004 Agribusiness Leader of the Year. This award honors outstanding leaders in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness-related areas that exemplify excellence in agribusiness by their significant contributions to the industry
Why the Canadian Episcopate of the Eastern region decided on this man as a suitable person to address priests and laity alike, I am in the dark as to the power behind the throne. Groome's reputation in Australia clearly left people wondering what "faith" it was he represented.
Fr. McCarthy's unpublished letter to NFLD's Catholic monthly, The Monitor