pull the strings
US /pʊl ðə strɪŋz/
UK /pʊl ðə strɪŋz/

1.
操縱, 控制
to control a situation or people, often secretly or indirectly
:
•
It's clear that someone powerful is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
很明顯,有權勢的人在幕後操縱。
•
She's always been the one to pull the strings in her family.
她一直是家裡操縱一切的人。