Understanding "High-Ups": A Guide to the Colloquial Term for People in Positions of Authority

"High-ups" is a colloquial or informal term that refers to people in positions of authority, power, or influence. It can be used to describe managers, executives, CEOs, government officials, or anyone who has a lot of clout or decision-making power.

For example, you might say "I need to get this proposal approved by the high-ups" to mean that you need to get approval from someone with a lot of authority, like a manager or executive.

The term is often used in a neutral or positive way, but it can also be used sarcastically or critically to refer to people who are seen as being out of touch or disconnected from the needs of others. For example, someone might say "I have to deal with all these high-ups who don't understand what's really going on" to express frustration with people in positions of power who don't seem to be paying attention to the needs of others.