brain truster
1
8.6
- noun
- /breɪn ˈtrʌstər/
- Literature
:
asesor de confianza
- Although she lacked any formal title, she was widely regarded as the administration's top brain truster.
Examples
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He has served as a brain truster for several political campaigns over the years.
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During the economic crisis, the president surrounded himself with an elite group of brain trusters.
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The president consulted a brain truster before making the decision.
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Many politicians rely on brain trusters for their expertise.
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The senator called a meeting with a group of brain trusters to discuss the new policy.
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As a brain truster, she offered invaluable insights during the campaign strategy sessions.
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The president often relies on his brain trust for advice on complex issues facing the country.
Synonyms
271
2.8
A person who gives expert advice about a particular subject
8
9.9
A trusted advisor to a leader, often in a criminal group like the Mafia
4
3.4
A person who gives reliable advice to someone over time
A person who gives expert advice and makes decisions behind the scenes
A person who gives expert advice to an organization or church
A person who gives advice or information as an expert
How Official
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'expert adviser' is not predictably derived from 'brain' (intelligent person) + 'truster' (one who trusts); 'truster' does not carry the sense 'adviser', and the phrase appears to be a formation based on the established idiom 'brain trust' rather than transparent composition. Because 'truster' is an uncommon and misleading agentive form, a B1 learner who knows the constituents would not reliably infer the intended adviser meaning.
Etymology
The noun brain truster comes from the 1930s name brain trust, made of brain (clever people) and trust (people you rely on); it named a small group of advisers the president 'trusted' for ideas. So a brain truster is someone who gives expert advice and is 'trusted' to help make big decisions.