pulling strings

Verb

pull strings (third-person singular simple present pulls strings, present participle pulling strings, simple past and past participle pulled strings)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To manipulate a situation, especially by asking favours of others; to use one's influence with others to attain a desired goal.
   • He has the job not because of talent, but because his dad pulled strings with the boss.
2. (idiomatic, intransitive, often, pull one's strings) To control a person, organization, or situation by operating behind the scenes, as a puppeteer controls a marionette.
   • We know who pulls the strings around here.