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Pull Strings for Dummies

verb


What does Pull Strings really mean?

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"Pull Strings" is a phrase that we often use in our day-to-day conversations, but understanding it can be a bit tricky. So, let's break it down and make it crystal clear for you!

Imagine you have a puppet that you control by pulling strings attached to its arms and legs. When you pull those strings, you can make the puppet move and do different actions, right? Well, in a figurative sense, when we say someone is "pulling strings," they are kind of like the puppeteer, controlling or influencing a situation or person from behind the scenes.

Now, let's think about it in a real-life context. Have you ever seen someone who seems to have a lot of power and can make things happen? Maybe it's a boss who can grant special favors or a person who can influence important decisions. Well, these individuals are often referred to as "power players" because they know how to "pull strings." They have the ability to use their connections, influence, or authority to make things go their way or to get what they want.

So, when we use the phrase "pull strings," we mean that someone is using their influence or connections to manipulate a situation or people to achieve a desired outcome. It's like having a secret power behind-the-scenes that allows them to control things without others even realizing it.

A great example of this can be seen in movies. You've probably watched a film where a character, behind a curtain or hidden from view, is pulling strings to make things happen. They have a whole network of ropes and pulleys that they cleverly use to orchestrate events and manipulate others. This is a metaphorical representation of someone "pulling strings" in real life.

Remember, though, that "pulling strings" doesn't always have a negative connotation. It can also be used when someone is using their connections or influence for a good cause. For example, if a famous musician lends their support to a charity event and helps raise money by using their influence to attract more donors, we could say they are "pulling strings" for a noble purpose.

So, to summarize, "pulling strings" means to exert influence or control in a situation or over people, often behind the scenes, in order to achieve a desired outcome. Whether it's used positively or negatively depends on the intentions and actions of the person pulling the strings.

I hope this helps clarify the meaning of "pull strings" for you! If you have any more questions or need further examples, feel free to ask!


Revised and Fact checked by Mia Harris on 2023-10-28 17:09:37

Pull Strings In a sentece

Learn how to use Pull Strings inside a sentece

  • When you want to turn on a light but you can't reach the switch, you can 'pull strings' by using a long stick with a hook to grab the string of the switch and turn the light on.
  • Imagine you dropped your toy behind the sofa and it's difficult to reach. You can 'pull strings' by using a long stick with a claw at the end to grab the toy and bring it back to you.
  • If you want to open a high window but it's too far up, you can 'pull strings' by tying a string to a stick and using it to unlatch and open the window from a distance.
  • Sometimes you may want to get something that is stuck in a tree, like a kite or a ball. You can 'pull strings' by throwing another string with a weight attached to it over the branch, then pulling the string to make the branch shake and release your item.
  • Let's say you want to release balloons from the ceiling, but they are tied up and you can't reach them. You can 'pull strings' by attaching long strings to the balloons and gently tugging on the strings to make them untie and float down.

Pull Strings Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Pull Strings Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.