English

Alternative forms

• eminence grise, gray eminence, grey eminence

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