pull the strings

Definition

Definition of pull the strings - Reverso English Dictionary

Verbal expression

metaphoricalcontrol or influence a situation

The CEO is the one who really pulls the strings in the company.

manipulate

manipulatesecretly manipulate events or people

He was pulling the strings behind the scenes to get the deal done.

control

manipulate

orchestrate

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Expressions with pull

pull down

make clothes lower on the body

She pulled down her sleeves to cover her arms.

pull off

remove something by pulling

He quickly pulled off his shoes.

pull out

remove something from a place where it is attached or enclosed

She carefully pulled out the splinter with tweezers.

pull up

cause a vehicle to stop

She pulled up the car at the curb.

pull ahead

move into a leading position in a race

She managed to pull ahead in the final lap.

pull at

tug or pluck gently with fingers

She would pull at the loose thread on her sweater.

Expressions with strings

pull a few strings

use secret influence to get what you want

He can pull a few strings to get you the job.

pull strings

use influence or manipulate to get what you want

He can pull strings to get you the job.

control the purse strings

have authority over financial decisions

The finance committee controls the purse strings of the organization.

hold the purse strings

control financial decisions and spending

In our family, Mom holds the purse strings.

loosen the purse strings

allow more spending or increase budget control

The company decided to loosen the purse strings for new projects.

cut the apron strings

become independent from parental control

It's time for him to cut the apron strings and move out.

cut the strings

end control or influence over someone

She decided to cut the strings and live independently.

loosen the apron strings

let someone have more freedom from parents

It's time to loosen the apron strings and let her travel.

no strings attached

adv.

without conditions or obligations

They offered the gift no strings attached.

pull the purse strings

control the spending of money

She pulls the purse strings in their household.

Examples of pull the strings in a sentence

Politicians often pull the strings behind the scenes.
She knew how to pull the strings in the office.
They pulled the strings to influence the decision.

View all translations of pull the strings

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French:tirer les ficelles, ...
German:die Fäden ziehen, im Hintergrund die Fäden ziehen, ...
Italian:tirare le fila, muovere i fili, ...
Spanish:mover los hilos, manipular, ...
Portuguese:mexer os pauzinhos, mexer os cordelinhos, ...
Chinese:掌控局面, 幕后操纵, ...
Japanese:糸を引く, 裏で操る, ...
Arabic:سَيْطَرَ, حَرَّكَ الخيوط من وراء الستار, ...
Hebrew:לִמְשֹׁךְ בַּחוּטִים, לְנַהֵל מֵאַחֲרֵי הַקְּלָעִים, ...
Russian:дергать за ниточки, ...
Ukrainian:смикати за ниточки, ...
Hindi:डोर खींचना, पर्दे के पीछे से चालें चलना, ...
Bengali:কলকাঠি নাড়া, নেপথ্যে থেকে নিয়ন্ত্রণ করা, ...
Catalan:moure els fils, manipular, ...
Czech:tahat za nitky, manipulovat, ...
Danish:trække i trådene, manøvrere, ...
Dutch:de touwtjes in handen hebben, achter de schermen manipuleren, ...
Greek:κινώ τα νήματα, χειραγωγώ κρυφά, ...
Hungarian:a háttérből irányítani, mesterkedni, ...
Khmer:បញ្ជាពីក្រោយឆាក, គ្រប់គ្រងដោយសម្ងាត់, ...
Korean:조종하다, 뒤에서 조종하다, ...
Persian:نخ‌ها را کشیدن, پشت پرده کارها را گرداندن, ...
Polish:pociągać za sznurki, ...
Portuguese (BR):mexer os pauzinhos, ...
Romanian:a controla, a manipula, ...
Swedish:dra i trådarna, ...
Thai:บงการ, ครอบงำ, ...
Turkish:ipleri elinde tutmak, perde arkasından yönetmek, ...
Vietnamese:giật dây, điều khiển ngầm, ...

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