The faceless man makes all the real decisions in this city.
faceless man
idiomSomeone who is not elected to political office, but exerts power over political affairs from behind the scenes.
Origin
first recorded 20th c.Coined by Australian journalist Alan Reid in 1963 in The Daily Telegraph.
Everyone knows the minister is just a puppet for that faceless man who controls the party funds.
While the public focused on the elected officials, the true policy shifts were orchestrated by a faceless man operating from the shadows of the private sector.
- 01
be a man
To put up with something or take responsibility for it; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.
- 02
be one's own man
To behave independently without the influence of others.
- 03
be the bigger man
To walk away from a conflict to prevent it from escalating.
- 04
boldly go where no man has gone before
To break new ground.
- 05
broken man
A man who has suffered significant and enduring emotional pain as a result of a highly unpleasant or traumatic event.
- 06
every man has a price
Everyone can be bribed or corrupted for a certain price.
- 07
faceless bureaucrat
A stereotypical anonymous, interchangeable and unaccountable government official.
- 08
funny man
Alternative form of funnyman.