wire-puller
Behind-the-scenes operator
A wire-puller is someone who manipulates events or people from behind the scenes, like a puppeteer controlling marionettes by pulling strings.
The term usually carries negative connotations of secretive influence: The real wire-pullers in city politics never run for office themselves.
Wire-pulling is the activity itself.
One who controls cunningly
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- lobbyistPaid legislative influencer
- fixerOne who resolves issues
- operativeCovert field agent
dealmaker · influence · patronage · cronyism · machine · boss · schemer · kingmaker
String-controlled theatrical figure
- stringsThin flexible lines
- controlAuthority to direct
- puppeteerPerformer controlling jointed figures
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
figurehead · master · handler · operator · mechanism · tension · rigging · articulation
manipulator
One who controls cunningly
operative · dealmaker · influence · patronage · cronyism · machine · boss · schemer · kingmaker · insider
marionette
String-controlled theatrical figure
manipulation · figurehead · master · handler · operator · mechanism · tension · rigging · articulation · movement
- power brokerspowerbroker, kingpin, kingmakers, puppeteer, kingmaker
- schemersschemer, manipulator, conniver, plotter, intriguer
wire-pullerfigurehead
Nominal leader, no authority
front man · frontman · spokesman · spokesperson · mouthpiece
wire-pullerstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
honest broker · open book · idealist · naïf
wire, wires, wired, wiring, wireman, wireless, puller, pullers, pull