brass hat

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a person in a high position, especially a top-ranking army or navy officer.

---

brass hat British  

noun

1. informal a top-ranking official, esp a military officer

---

brass hat Idioms  

1. A high-ranking official, as in All the brass bats were invited to the sales conference. The terms big brass, top brass, and the brass all refer to high officials considered as a group. For example, John's one of the top brass in town—he's superintendent of schools. The origin of this term is disputed. Most authorities believe it originated in the late 19th-century British army, when senior officers had gold leaves on their cap brims. Another theory is that it referred to the cocked hat worn by Napoleon and his officers, which they folded and carried under the arm when indoors. In French these were called chapeaux à bras (“hats in arms”), a term the British are supposed to have anglicized as brass. By World War I brass hat referred to a high-ranking officer in Britain and America, and in World War II it was joined by the other brass phrases. After the war these terms began to be used for the top executives in business and other organizations.

---

Etymology

Origin of brass hat

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

When a Cohen emissary finally sought a showdown with a noted Army brass hat, he was told that Empire's last bid was $3,000 too high.

From Time Magazine Archive

Officially, the paper's top editorial brass hat is Frank Waldrop, longtime executive editor.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sir: After remolding Ike's brass hat into a golden halo, and rocking the country to sleep with "Everything's fine, Daddy's here," Hagerty simply must have overcome his dislike for "wading through manure."

From Time Magazine Archive

No brass hat or battleship admiral, he fought for the fortification of Guam, expansion of air power, and tried valiantly�with a seven-seas gleam in his eye�to get the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

But how can a staff officer find the chance his soul yearns for, to show his mettle—except the metal on his expensive "brass hat"?

From Vision House by Williamson, A. M. (Alice Muriel)