pull strings

Cultural  

1. To use personal connections to obtain a position: “Pat was officially interviewed for the job, but he also had his uncle pulling strings behind the scenes.” This phrase makes reference to the operation of string-controlled puppets, or marionettes.

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pull strings Idioms  

1. Also, pull wires. Use one's influence, as in By pulling strings he got us house seats to the opening, or His father pulled some wires and got him out of jail. Both terms allude to manipulating a marionette. The first dates from the second half of the 1800s, the second from the early 1800s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pull strings

The Mark II suit, with its Army green hue, zippers, pull strings and brown straps, looks like it belongs on the cover of a 1960s sci-fan fan magazine.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

The 56-year-old had no official post during his father's rule, but was speculated to be acting behind the scenes to pull strings at the heart of power in Iran.

From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026

Inside, police said, they found an expired Guatemalan passport in the name of “Obdulio Arias Lopez” and black trash bags with red pull strings.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 3, 2023

She was invited to a reception by her local MP, Christophe Plassard, who is trying to pull strings to get her a French passport.

From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2023

It wasn’t right for one body to own another or pull strings to make them jump.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

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Related Words

• affect
• alter
• arouse
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• change
• determine
• guide
• impress
• manipulate
• persuade
• prejudice
• prompt
• regulate
• shape
• sway

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