pull the strings

US /pʊl ðə strɪŋz/
UK /pʊl ðə strɪŋz/
"pull the strings" picture
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。