“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]
(..) He had one leg on my throat, and the other that hit me in my face. My god. - I had never thought that I knock him out would save. And what were you to 't do when this happened? I was the authorities' t warn. I can do a signing, if you want? It was a little stormy outside, were you not, comrades? (..)2007 Bee Movie