Crossword Genius

People in authority have taken back prize money (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

top brass

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'people in authority' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'taken back prize money' is the wordplay.
'taken back prize' becomes 'top' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'money' becomes 'brass' (I've seen this before).
'top'+'brass'='TOP-BRASS'

'have' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for top brass that I've seen before include "Most important leaders, officers, etc" , "High-ranking figures of authority" , "management" , "senior command" , "Senior military personnel" .)

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