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Definition 2024


éminence_grise

éminence grise

See also: eminence grise

English

Alternative forms

Noun

éminence grise (plural éminence grises)

  1. (idiomatic) A secret or unofficial decision-maker; the power behind the throne.
    • 1987 July 12, John A. Garraty, "Harry's Luck" (book review of Harry Hopkins: Ally of the Poor and Defender of Democracy by George McJimsey), New York Times (retrieved 4 Sep. 2011):
      But Harry Hopkins was no mere manipulator of people and ideas, no eminence grise masterminding the actions of figureheads.
    • 2009 Sept. 16, Coco Masters, "New Prime Minister — and New Shadow Shogun," Time:
      Ozawa is the Secretary-General of Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan (DJP) and the éminence grise of the electoral campaign that catapulted the new Prime Minister to power.

Translations


French

Noun

éminence grise f (plural éminences grises)

  1. (idiomatic) éminence grise