English Explanatory Dictionary

pull strings

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To manipulate a situation, especially by asking favours of others; to use one's influence with others to attain a desired goal.
  2. To control a person, organization, or situation by operating behind the scenes, as a puppeteer controls a marionette.

Pronunciation

En-au-pull strings.ogg

Word forms

pull strings pulls strings pulling strings pulled strings pull a few strings pull some strings pull a lot of strings

Etymology

Suggesting a puppet show, where characters are moved by pulling attached strings.

Related words

hold the purse strings no strings attached pull the string puppet master
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