brass hat
noun British informal
A high-ranking officer in the armed forces: military brass hats proudly handed out scores of prizes...
- They are basically trading casualties one-for-one with the regime loyalists which, as any brass hat will tell you, ain't no way to win at counter-insurgency.
- A small state with limited resources cannot afford to feed the army of bureaucrats and brass hats of the police.
- The brass hats are furious that an operational matter should be kicked around like a football across the House of Commons chamber.
Origin
Late 19th century: so named because of the gilt insignia on the caps of such officers.