Brain trust

n.capable, thoughtfulprofessional

What it means

A group of respected experts assembled to advise or solve difficult problems.

Reach for it when naming a concentrated source of expert judgment

The charity formed a brain trust to redesign rural emergency transport.

playful
inner circle
a small trusted group close to decision-makers is meant
not when Inner circle implies access and loyalty rather than expertise.
professional
advisory group
the formal role is to offer guidance
not when An advisory group may represent stakeholders rather than technical expertise.
professional
expert panel
specialists review evidence or answer a defined question
not when A panel may meet once and need not develop solutions together.
professional
think tank
organized research and policy development define the body
not when A think tank is usually a continuing institution, not a temporary panel.
formal
brains trust
British usage is appropriate for the audience
not when Brains trust is region-specific and may look like an error to American readers.
formal
council of experts
authority and specialist membership need explicit wording
not when The phrase can sound grander and more official than the group is.

form a brain trust
The mayors will form a brain trust on flood adaptation.
informal brain trust
An informal brain trust of mechanics improved the maintenance plan.
scientific brain trust
The scientific brain trust published its assumptions with the recommendation.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.