(陰で)糸を引く

[(kagede-)ito-wo-hiku]:

Literal translation:

pull (the) strings (behind the scenes)

Meaning:

Use one’s influence secretly to make something happen

Note:

This idiom is shared by the Japanese and English languages. The Japanese version “(陰で)糸を引く” and the English version “pull (the) strings” have the same expression and meaning. The strings imply those of a puppet.