pull the strings

US /pʊl ðə strɪŋz/
UK /pʊl ðə strɪŋz/
"pull the strings" picture
1.

de touwtjes in handen hebben, controleren

to control a situation or people, often secretly or indirectly

:
It's clear that someone powerful is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Het is duidelijk dat iemand machtig de touwtjes in handen heeft achter de schermen.
She's always been the one to pull the strings in her family.
Zij is altijd degene geweest die de touwtjes in handen had in haar familie.