'with the powers that be'

[constantinusphilo]

Was he in bad odour with the powers that be?
From A Passage to India by E. M. Forster
This 'that be' baffles me; though on second thought it might be a typo.

 

[5jj]

Definition of THE POWERS THAT BE

the people who decide what is allowed or acceptable in a group, organization, etc.… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[probus]

It is not a typo, but a standard phrase or cliche. Here is a link to the Wikipedia article on it:

The powers that be - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Cross-posted with @5jj.