wire pulling
Covert influence exertion
Wire pulling is the act of using behind-the-scenes influence or connections to achieve an outcome, especially in politics or business.
The image comes from puppet strings—someone working the wires that make things move while staying out of sight: The appointment reeked of wire pulling by party insiders.
Also spelled as one word.
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- stringsThin flexible lines
- puppetControlled performing figure
- influencePower to affect others
- behind the scenesOut of public view
backroom · smoke filled room · scheming · connections · favors · lobbying · insider · dealmaking · quid pro quo · maneuvering · back channel · leverage · bribery · under the table · corruption · dark money · marionette · control
- electrical workconduit, soldering, circuit breaker, grounding, circuit testing
- influence peddlinginfluence peddling, backscratching, quid pro quo, kickbacks, payoffs
- electrical systemscircuits, voltage, transformers, electricity, electrical panels
- wiringcables, harnesses, bundles, cabling, copper cables
wire pullingplain dealing
Honest, straightforward conduct
straightforwardness · candor · openness · forthrightness · public discourse
wire pullingfair play
Honorable conduct in games
meritocracy · due process · square dealing · fair competition · democratic process
wire pullingnon-interference
Abstaining from meddling
laissez-faire · passivity · inaction · letting nature take its course · standing aside
wire, wires, wired, wiring, wireless, pull, pulls, pulled, pulling