the powers that be
/ðə ˌpaʊ.əz ðət ˈbiː/idiom
the people in authority who make decisions
сильные мира сего, начальство
Русский аналог: «власть имущие»
Часто с иронией.
“The powers that be have decided to close the office.”
“We’ll have to wait for the powers that be to approve it.”
“I don’t know why — ask the powers that be.”