“Who gave him the 'authority' to do this?” “He didn't do it 'on his own authority' [=he didn't do it on his own]; he was acting 'under the authority of' the company president.” [=the company president gave him the power to do it]
No one 'in authority' objected to the plan. = No one 'in a position of authority' objected to the plan. [=no one with official power to make important decisions objected to the plan]
This office has 'authority' over personnel matters. [=this office has the power to make decisions about personnel matters]
(..) - I'll take it. - OK, she's yours. - Yes, I've important imformation about a group of drug traffickers. I need to speak with someone in position of authority. Ah-hah, you're very lucky. There's no one with more authority in this office than me. But let's start with the begining. What's your name? (..)2014 Lucy