Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'gray eminence,' denoting a person wielding power secretly. Understand its historical roots and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'the hand that rocks the cradle,' highlighting its depiction of maternal influence and power.
Explore the definition, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'movers and shakers,' denoting influential individuals capable of effecting change.
Explore the concept of 'the power behind the throne,' a phrase describing individuals who exert significant influence over nominal leaders, often becoming the de facto rulers. Delve into its historical roots, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance.
Discover the origins, meanings, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'the powers that be,' a term denoting authority and influence, rooted in biblical and historical contexts.
Explore the phrase 'pull strings,' its origins in puppetry, historical context, and cultural significance. Delve into its use in politics and literature.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'twist/wind around one’s little finger,' a metaphor for exerting influence or control.
The largest and most comprehensive resource of its kind, The Dictionary of Clichés features thousands of unique clichés, idioms, jargon, slang, euphemisms, and metaphors, alongside common expressions.