string-pulling
Behind-the-scenes control
String-pulling is the use of behind-the-scenes influence to get what you want—calling in favors, leveraging connections, exploiting insider status.
The image comes from puppetry: the string-puller controls events while staying hidden.
There was some string-pulling to get her son into that school.
The verb form is pull strings.
String-controlled theatrical figure
- puppetControlled performing figure
- puppeteerPerformer controlling jointed figures
- controlAuthority to direct
- woodenMade from timber
Pinocchio · theater · manipulation · performance · stage · articulation · crossbar · suspension
Power to affect others
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- connectionsRelationships between things
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
insider · networking · patronage · leverage · maneuvering · scheming · lobbying · dealmaking
marionette
String-controlled theatrical figure
- puppetControlled performing figure
- puppeteerPerformer controlling jointed figures
- controlAuthority to direct
wooden · Pinocchio · theater · manipulation · performance · stage · articulation · crossbar · suspension · limbs
influence
Power to affect others
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- connectionsRelationships between things
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
nepotism · insider · networking · patronage · leverage · maneuvering · scheming · lobbying · dealmaking · quid pro quo
- shadow powerpuppet master, puppeteer, kingmaker, power broker, gray eminence
- influence peddlinginfluence peddling, backscratching, quid pro quo, kickbacks, payoffs
- interferenceinterfering, meddling, intruding, butting in, obstructing
- favoritismfavoritism, nepotism, cronyism, partiality, preferential treatment
string-pullinglegitimate authority
Accepted right to command
constitutional authority · constitutional power · institutional power · due process
string-pullingself-determination
Control over one's fate
autonomy · independence · free will · self-governance · powerlessness
string, pull, strings, pulls, pulled, pulling, stringed, stringing, stringy