they pull strings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they pull strings" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is manipulating or controlling a situation behind the scenes. Example: "In the corporate world, it's often the ones who pull strings that truly hold the power." Alternative expressions include "they call the shots" and "they have influence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They called in favours, they pulled strings.

The Guardian

Instead of pulling on their paddles, they pulled strings.

The New York Times - Sports

"They pulled strings to get us to that specific tribe," says Tommy. "For eight years, Fuck for Forest has already been working with different native people all over South and Central America, and we know a lot about the conflicts there.

The Guardian - Film

They pulled strings like puppet masters and treated their stable (which included Rodgers, Kern, Gershwin and Porter) like benevolent despots, albeit sometimes more despotic than benevolent.

Huffington Post

They promptly pull strings and buy the place, which may mean that the Dowager Marchioness of Uckfield, then in residence, may have to find somewhere else to stay in the future.

The New York Times - Books

To get a hospital bed, people don't tend to go through the patient referral centre, people pull strings because they know someone from Hospital XX, because they know through Hospital YYY that such and such is working at some hospital and they can get a bed there basically, people get it informally, but they shouldn't, right?" (Secondary care professional, Network 1 Brazil).

BMC Health Services Research

That is meant to replace a chaotic and often unfair system in which many students got into schools because they knew people who could pull strings.

The New York Times

"They are pulling strings, aren't they, given how important the regulatory side is to them".

The New York Times

A dad who could pull strings or, more accurately, ropes.

Independent

You can't pull strings without Nottingham (Letters, 25 February).

The Guardian

Parents pull strings to make things easier for him.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: while frequently used in journalism to describe political maneuvering, it can also be used literally in technical contexts (e.g., guitar maintenance or puppetry).

Common error

Avoid using "they pull strings" when you mean "they are joking around". The idiom for joking or teasing is "to pull someone's leg". Using "pull strings" always implies influence or manipulation, not humor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they pull strings" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase where the verb "pull" takes the noun "strings" as a direct object. In the context of Ludwig examples, it typically appears as a transitive construction describing the action of a subject (often an elite group or powerful individual) exercising indirect control.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Social Media

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they pull strings" is a versatile English idiom that remains a staple of modern journalism and social commentary. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in contexts where hidden power and social connections are at play. Whether describing a politician securing a favor or a parent helping a child through connections, the phrase vividly captures the essence of indirect control. While technically "Correct" and highly recognized, writers should be mindful of its slightly cynical or negative connotation. For professional contexts requiring total objectivity, literal alternatives like "exert influence" may be more appropriate, but for narrative depth, the "pulling strings" metaphor remains an effective tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they pull the strings

Adds the definite article, which is often used when referring to a specific set of circumstances or a known puppet-master dynamic.

they call the shots

Moves from a puppet metaphor to a sporting or business metaphor, implying more overt and direct authority.

they pull the levers of power

Uses a more formal, political metaphor emphasizing systemic control rather than individual manipulation.

they exert influence

Provides a formal and literal alternative suitable for academic or professional reporting.

they work behind the scenes

Emphasizes the location and secrecy of the actions rather than the specific mechanism of control.

they manipulate the situation

Carries a more explicitly negative or clinical connotation regarding the tactics being used.

they run the show

Informal alternative that suggests total management of a project or organization.

they have the upper hand

Focuses on the resulting advantage rather than the process of manipulation.

they hold the reins

Uses an equestrian metaphor to suggest guidance and control of a larger entity.

they pull the wires

A rarer, more mechanical variation of the string-pulling metaphor.

FAQs

How do I use "they pull strings" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe indirect influence, such as: "The lobbyists are powerful because "they pull strings" in the capital to get laws passed."

What is the difference between "they pull strings" and "they call the shots"?

While both imply control, "they call the shots" usually refers to open, recognized leadership, whereas "they pull strings" suggests hidden or informal influence.

Is it "they pull strings" or "they pull the strings"?

Both are correct. Using "they pull the strings" is slightly more common when emphasizing a puppet-master metaphor.

Can "they pull strings" be used in a positive way?

It is rarely positive; it usually implies an unfair advantage or nepotism. For a more positive version, consider "they make things happen".