pull some strings

== English == === Alternative forms === 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. === Pronunciation === === Verb === pull strings (third-person singular simple present pulls strings, present participle pulling strings, simple past and past participle pulled strings) (intransitive, idiomatic) To manipulate a situation, especially by asking favours of others; to use one's influence with others to attain a desired goal. (intransitive, idiomatic, often with “the” or a possessive adjective (such as “his”) before “strings”, pull one's strings) To control a person, organization, or situation by operating behind the scenes, as a puppeteer controls a marionette. ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === References === “pull the strings”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.