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Definition

Someone who is not elected to political office, but exerts power over political affairs from behind the scenes.

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Origins

Coined by Australian journalist Alan Reid in 1963 in The Daily Telegraph.

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See Also

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Related Idioms

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power behind the throne

Someone who appears to be without special status, but who has great co…

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at one's feet

At one's disposition; easily controlled by someone due to their power,…

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hold someone's feet to the fire

To maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone …

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Someone with the roles of judge, jury and executioner; someone with fu…

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Close behind; pursuing or following closely.

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behind someone's back

Without somebody's knowledge; secretly.
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