noun
influential person; person of influence
Refers to someone who wields considerable influence or power in a particular sphere, often with a nuance of throwing their weight around. The word is somewhat colloquial and can carry a slightly negative connotation of overbearing influence.
彼は地元の政界で幅利きだ。
He is an influential figure in local politics.
あの先輩は会社で幅利きとして知られている。
That senior colleague is known as a person of influence in the company.
Compound of 幅 (はば, 'width, breadth') and 利き (きき, 'effective, influential'), literally meaning 'breadth of influence'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word likely emerged from the idea of someone whose influence extends widely.