IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchUne éminence grise
Meaning: The unofficial power behind a public figure.
Literally: A gray eminence
Example: “Tout le monde sait que la conseillère est l'éminence grise du président.” — Everyone knows the adviser is the power behind the president's throne.
English equivalent: The power behind the throne
Equivalents in other languages
English: the power behind the throne
Origin: Père Joseph, the Capuchin friar who served as Richelieu's confidant and agent, wore gray where the cardinal wore red — and Éminence was Richelieu's own style of address. The nickname made the arrangement visible without naming it.
More French idioms
- L'esprit de l'escalier The perfect retort that arrives only after you have left.
- Tomber dans l'escarcelle de quelqu'un To end up in someone's possession, often without their working for it.
- À bon escient Advisedly; with proper judgment about when to do it.
- Des espèces sonnantes et trébuchantes Hard cash, as opposed to promises or credit.
- D'estoc et de taille With everything one has, by every available means.
- Ne connaître ni d'Ève ni d'Adam Not to know someone at all.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
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- La curiosité est un vilain défaut Being too curious about others' business is a bad habit.
- Chien sur son fumier est hardi Everyone is bold on their own ground.
- Il y a un commencement à tout Everything has to start somewhere; first attempts are allowed to be clumsy.
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