# faceless man

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/faceless-man
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The faceless man makes all the real decisions in this city.
- 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.

## Origin

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.