to exercise personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially
See full dictionary entry for pull
pull strings in British English
informal
to exert personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially
See full dictionary entry for string
pull strings in American English
1.
to get someone to use influence in one's behalf, often secretly
2.
to direct action of others, often secretly
See full dictionary entry for string
pull strings
to get something you want, not by your own merit but by using your friendships with powerful and influential people. This expression is usually used in a disapproving way.
Many of Anna's colleagues felt that she was pulling strings to advance her career.
Examples of 'pull strings' in a sentence
pull strings
Could Mike pull strings, do you think, and demand it's sent, freight, to await addressee at Heathrow?