pull strings

Verb

1. 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. before “strings”, 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.
   • Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings - 1986, “Master of Puppets”, in Metallica (music), Master of Puppets:
   • Mr. Brown is touchy about accusations that he is a packaged candidate, and bristles at the suggestion that Mr. Caddell pulls his strings. - 1992 April 3, Richard Berke, “The 1992 Campaign: Political Memo”, in New York...