eminence grise
POWERFUL DECISION-MAKER OR ADVISER "BEHIND THE SCENES"
Eminence grise; Gray eminence; Gray Eminence; Eminence Grey; Eminence Gray; L'Éminence Gris; Eminence Grise; Gray cardinal; L'éminence grise; Grey eminence; Eminence gris; L'eminence grise; L'Eminence Gris; Grey eminences; Gray eminences; Grey cardinal
[??m?n?eminence grises'gri:z]
¦ noun (plural eminences grises pronunciation same) a person who exercises power or influence without holding an official position.
Origin
Fr., lit 'grey eminence'; the term was orig. applied to Cardinal Richelieu's grey-cloaked private secretary, Pere Joseph (1577-1638).