brains trust

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

brains trust noun

1. a group of knowledgeable people who discuss topics in public or on radio or television

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈbrain ˌtrust, n. [countable* usually singular]

1. a group of experts from different fields who act as unofficial consultants on matters of policy and strategy:
   The candidate gathered her brain trust around her.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Brains′ Trust′, (sometimes l.c.)[Brit.]

1. British Terms See brain trust. 
2. British Terms a panel of experts on radio or television, giving impromptu answers to selected questions from the listening audience.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

brain′ trust′, 

1. a group of experts from various fields who serve as unofficial consultants on matters of policy and strategy.

Also,[Brit.,] Brains Trust. 

• 1905–10, American.

brain-trust  (brān′trust′), v.t. 

1. to serve as a brain trust or a brain truster for:
   They have brain-trusted many major corporations.