Power: English Vocabulary List

to be rising up to a higher position or level

"Your career is on the way up."

"The young entrepreneur is definitely on the way up after securing major investors last month."

the important or influential people in a particular field or social setting

"Anyone who is anyone will be there."

"Anyone who is anyone in the fashion industry attended the exclusive show during Paris Fashion Week."

someone of great importance or influence

"The big cheese of the company arrives in a limousine."

"The big cheese from headquarters visited the local office to inspect operations."

an individual who is very famous or influential

"The CEO is the big enchilada around here."

"The CEO of the tech giant is considered the big enchilada in the industry."

a person whose fame or influence has widely spread

"He is a big fish."

"The investigative journalist managed to secure an exclusive interview with the big fish behind the international scandal."

a person or an organization that possesses great power or influence

"They brought in the big guns to solve the crisis."

"They brought in the big guns to solve the crisis and the CEO personally handled the negotiations."

someone of great importance or influence

"The big shot arrived in a limousine."

"The big shot arrived in a limousine and his security guards pushed through the crowd."

a person who has a lot of power or influence in a particular field, business, or community

"He is a big wheel in local politics."

"He is a big wheel in local politics and his endorsement can make or break a campaign."

to rise in wealth or status

"He has gone up in the world."

"Since moving to New York, she has really gone up in the world and now lives in a penthouse."

a person of great importance or influence

"The head honcho makes all the decisions."

"The head honcho makes all the decisions and his employees are afraid to question him."

having power or authority and commanding respect and attention, often implying confidence, assertiveness, and control

"The manager is in charge."

"With his booming voice and confident demeanor, the CEO was clearly large and in charge."

a successful person who becomes the target of criticism or resentment from others because of their achievements or prominence

"The tall poppy is often criticized."

"The tall poppy is often criticized and successful people are sometimes resented by their peers."

the individuals or groups who hold the most authority or influence in a particular organization, community, or situation

"The powers that be decided."

"The powers that be have decided to close the old factory and move all production to China."

a person who has a significant influence and is actively involved in bringing about change or progress in a particular field or industry

"He is a real mover and shaker in politics."

"She is a real mover and shaker in the tech industry and knows all the most influential people."

a person, organization, or entity that has immense potential, power, or influence, but is currently inactive, unaware, or not utilizing their capabilities

"The sleeping giant awoke."

"The sleeping giant awoke and the once quiet company suddenly became a dominant force in the industry."

the people who have a lot of power and authority within an organization but are not known by many people

"The decision was made by men in gray suits."

"The decision was made by men in gray suits who have never actually done the jobs of ordinary workers."

the influential and decision-making circles within a government, organization, or institution

"Decisions are made in the halls of power."

"The controversial policy was debated endlessly in the corridors of power before finally being approved by the government."

a group of powerful bankers or investors particularly from Switzerland who are believed to have secret political influence

"The gnomes of Zurich control much of the world's money."

"The company's future depends on the gnomes of Zurich who control the international banking system and interest rates."