backstage boss; power behind the throne; puppet master
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
power behind the scenes; backstage manipulator; person or group that secretly controls or supports
Originally referred to the owner of a theatrical troupe. Now chiefly used metaphorically to describe hidden controllers, often with a negative connotation implying covert manipulation of politics, business, or criminal organizations.
Tā他
shì是
nà那
gè个
dà大
gōng公
sī司
de的
hòu后
tái台
lǎo老
bǎn板
。
He is the power behind the throne at that big company.
Zhè这
gè个
fàn犯
zuì罪
jí集
tuán团
yǒu有
shén神
mì秘
de的
hòu后
tái台
lǎo老
bǎn板
。
This criminal organization has a mysterious backstage boss.
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Jiù旧
shè社
huì会
，
xì戏
bān班
zi子
de的
hòu后
tái台
lǎo老
bǎn板
wǎng往
wǎng往
qī欺
yā压
yǎn演
yuán员
。
In the old society, the owners of theatrical troupes often oppressed the performers.