pull the strings

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

pociągać za sznurki, kontrolować

to control a situation or people, often secretly or indirectly

:
It's clear that someone powerful is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Widać, że ktoś potężny pociąga za sznurki za kulisami.
She's always been the one to pull the strings in her family.
Zawsze to ona pociągała za sznurki w swojej rodzinie.