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men in (gray) suits
01
the people who have a lot of power and authority within an organization but are not known by many people
Dialect
American
American
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "men in suits" and when to use it?
The phrase "men in suits" originated in the mid-20th century when corporate culture became more formalized, and the business suit became a symbol of authority and power. It became popularized in the 1950s and 1960s and is still used today to describe those in positions of power and authority who are seen as out of touch with ordinary people.
Examples
The men in gray suits decided the CEO's future.
