pull strings
/ˌpʊl ˈstrɪŋz/NEUTRAL · C2
Meaning
to use your influence secretly to help someone
Examples
- 1Her uncle pulled strings to get the paperwork looked at quickly.
- 2You cannot pull strings for every friend who needs a favour.
- 3Someone pulled strings, because the licence arrived in three days.
- 4Ben insists he did not pull strings to get his son the placement.
- 5Does anyone still pull strings at this company, or is it all on merit?
Grammar
Only pull changes form. Keep strings plural with no article; the person helped follows for.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about work and careers
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →the rat racethe exhausting competition of modern working lifekeep your nose to the grindstoneto keep working hard without stoppingcall it a dayto stop working for nowlearn the ropesto learn how a job is donepull your weightto do your fair share of the worksnowed underhaving far too much work to deal with
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
