How do you use "The brass" in a sentence?

The brass wants us to finish this project by Friday. Don't mess up — the top brass is watching. She impressed the brass with her presentation and got promoted.

The brass

Q: What does "The brass" mean?

High-ranking officers; the bosses or top leadership. From the brass insignia worn by military officers. 'The brass' means the people in charge. 'Top brass' emphasizes the highest-ranking leaders. Used in civilian life for executives, bosses, or anyone with authority.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal

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Meaning: High-ranking officers; the bosses or top leadership.

高层军官；老板或最高领导层。

Los altos mandos; los jefes o la cúpula directiva.

上層部、幹部、お偉方。組織のトップにいる人々。

고위 장교들; 상사나 최고 경영진.

From the brass insignia worn by military officers. 'The brass' means the people in charge. 'Top brass' emphasizes the highest-ranking leaders. Used in civilian life for executives, bosses, or anyone with authority.

源自军官佩戴的铜质军衔标志。'the brass'指掌权的人。'top brass'特指最高级别的领导者。在日常用语中指高管、老板或任何有权力的人。

Viene de las insignias de latón que llevaban los oficiales militares. 'The brass' se refiere a las personas al mando. 'Top brass' enfatiza a los líderes de más alto rango. Se usa en la vida civil para referirse a ejecutivos, jefes o cualquier persona con autoridad.

軍の将校が身につける真鍮（brass）の階級章に由来する。「the brass」は指揮を執る人々を意味し、「top brass」は最高位のリーダーを強調する。民間でも経営幹部や上司、権限を持つ人全般に使われる。

군 장교들이 착용하는 황동 휘장에서 유래했다. '더 브래스(the brass)'는 책임자들을 의미한다. '탑 브래스(top brass)'는 최고위 지도자를 강조한다. 민간에서는 임원, 상사, 또는 권한을 가진 모든 사람을 가리킬 때 쓰인다.

Examples

The brass wants us to finish this project by Friday.
上头要求我们在周五之前完成这个项目。
Los jefazos quieren que terminemos este proyecto para el viernes.
上層部は金曜日までにこのプロジェクトを終わらせろと言っている。
윗선에서 이 프로젝트를 금요일까지 끝내라고 한다.
Don't mess up — the top brass is watching.
别搞砸了——上面的大人物在看着呢。
No la cagues — los de arriba están mirando.
ヘマするなよ——お偉方が見ているぞ。
실수하지 마 — 윗분들이 보고 있다.
She impressed the brass with her presentation and got promoted.
她的演示给高层留下了深刻印象，得到了晋升。
Impresionó a los altos mandos con su presentación y la ascendieron.
彼女はプレゼンで幹部に感銘を与え、昇進した。
그녀는 프레젠테이션으로 상층부에 깊은 인상을 남겨 승진했다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: military, workplace, government

Tone: deferential, sometimes resentful

✓ Do Say

The brass approved it.
上头批准了。
Los de arriba lo han aprobado.
上層部が承認した。
윗선에서 승인했다.
Don't tell the brass.
别告诉上面的人。
No se lo digas a los jefazos.
お偉方には言うな。
윗분들한테 말하지 마.

✗ Don't Say

Can sound dismissive of leadership.
可能给人一种对领导层不够尊重的感觉。
Puede sonar despectivo hacia la dirección.
上層部を軽んじているように聞こえることがある。
경영진을 얕보는 것처럼 들릴 수 있다.

Origin & History

From the shiny brass insignia and buttons on military officers' uniforms. American military slang since at least the 19th century.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: All regions