pull strings
noun
1.
a slender cord or thick thread used for binding or tying; line.
2.
something resembling a cord or thread.
3.
Also called cosmic string. Physics. a mathematical entity used to represent elementary particles, as gravitons, quarks, or leptons, in terms of a small but finite stringlike object existing in the four dimensions of spacetime and in additional, hypothetical, spacelike dimensions. The theory of such objects (string theory) avoids the many mathematical difficulties that arise from treating particles as points.
4.
a narrow strip of flexible material, as cloth or leather, for tying parts together: the strings of a bonnet.
5.
a necklace consisting of a number of beads, pearls, or the like threaded or strung on a cord; strand: She wore a double string of pearls.
6.
any series of things arranged or connected in a line or following closely one after another: a string of islands; a string of questions.
7.
a series of railroad cars coupled together but not constituting an entire train.
8.
Journalism. a compilation of clippings of a stringer's published writings, submitted in request of payment according to an agreed space rate.
9.
a group of animals, especially saddle horses, owned or used by one person: a string of polo ponies.
10.
(in a musical instrument) a tightly stretched cord or wire that produces a tone when caused to vibrate, as by plucking, striking, or friction of a bow.
11.
strings.
a.
stringed instruments, especially those played with a bow.
b.
players on such instruments in an orchestra or band.
12.
a bowstring.
13.
a cord or fiber in a plant.
14.
the tough piece uniting the two parts of a pod: the strings of beans.
15.
Architecture.
a.
a stringcourse.
b.
Also called stringer. one of the sloping sides of a stair, supporting the treads and risers.
16.
Computers, Linguistics. a linear sequence of symbols, words, characters, or bits that is treated as a unit.
17.
Billiards, Pool.
a.
a stroke made by each player from the head of the table to the opposite cushion and back, to determine, by means of the resultant positions of the cue balls, who shall open the game.
b.
Also called string line. a line from behind which the cue ball is placed after being out of play.
18.
a complement of contestants or players grouped as a squad in accordance with their skill: He made the second string on the football team.
19.
Usually, strings. conditions or limitations on a proposal: a generous offer with no strings attached.
20.
Obsolete. a ligament, nerve, or the like in an animal body.
verb (used with object)
21.
to furnish with or as with a string or strings: to string a bonnet; to string a bow.
22.
to extend or stretch (a cord, thread, etc.) from one point to another.
23.
to thread on or as on a string: to string beads.
24.
to connect in or as in a line; arrange in a series or succession: She knows how to string words together.
25.
Music.
a.
to adjust the string of (a bow) or tighten the strings of (a musical instrument) to the required pitch.
b.
to equip (a bow or instrument) with new strings.
00:10
Pull strings
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrases 31.
to form into or move in a string or series: The ideas string together coherently.
32.
to form into a string or strings, as a glutinous substance does when pulled: Good taffy doesn't break—it strings.
33.
string along, Informal.
a.
to be in agreement; follow with confidence: He found he couldn't string along with all their modern notions.
b.
to keep (a person) waiting or in a state of uncertainty.
c.
to deceive; cheat; trick.
34.
Idioms string out,
a.
to extend; stretch out: The parade strung out for miles.
b.
to prolong: The promised three days strung out to six weeks.
35.
on a/the string, Informal. subject to the whim of another; in one's power; dependent: After keeping me on a string for two months, they finally hired someone else.
36.
pull strings/wires,
a.
to use one's influence or authority, usually in secret, in order to bring about a desired result.
b.
to gain or attempt to gain one's objectives by means of influential friends, associates, etc.: He had his uncle pull strings to get him a promotion.
Origin:
before 900; (noun) Middle English string, streng, Old English streng; cognate with Dutch streng, German Strang; akin to Latin stringere to bind; (v.) late Middle English stringen to string a bow, derivative of the noun
before 900; (noun) Middle English string, streng, Old English streng; cognate with Dutch streng, German Strang; akin to Latin stringere to bind; (v.) late Middle English stringen to string a bow, derivative of the noun
Related forms
string·less, adjective
string·like, adjective
re·string, verb, re·strung, re·string·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To pull strings
Collins
World English Dictionary
string (strɪŋ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a thin length of cord, twine, fibre, or similar material used for tying, hanging, binding, etc |
| 2. | a group of objects threaded on a single strand: a string of beads |
| 3. | a series or succession of things, events, acts, utterances, etc: a string of oaths |
| 4. | a number, chain, or group of similar things, animals, etc, owned by or associated with one person or body: a string of girlfriends |
| 5. | a tough fibre or cord in a plant: the string of an orange; the string of a bean |
| 6. | music a tightly stretched wire, cord, etc, found on stringed instruments, such as the violin, guitar, and piano |
| 7. | short for bowstring |
| 8. | architect string course short for stringer |
| 9. | maths, linguistics a sequence of symbols or words |
| 10. | linguistics a linear sequence, such as a sentence as it is spoken |
| 11. | physics See also cosmic string a one-dimensional entity postulated to be a fundamental component of matter in some theories of particle physics |
| 12. | billiards another word for lag |
| 13. | a group of characters that can be treated as a unit by a computer program |
| 14. | (plural) complications or conditions (esp in the phrase no strings attached) |
| 15. | (modifier) composed of stringlike strands woven in a large mesh: a string bag; string vest |
| 16. | keep on a string to have control or a hold over (a person), esp emotionally |
| 17. | informal pull strings to exert personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially |
| 18. | pull the strings to have real or ultimate control of something |
| 19. | second string a person or thing regarded as a secondary source of strength |
| 20. | (plural) the strings |
| a. violins, violas, cellos, and double basses collectively | |
| b. the section of a symphony orchestra constituted by such instruments | |
| —vb (usually foll by up) (often foll by up) , strings, stringing, strung | |
| 21. | (tr) to provide with a string or strings |
| 22. | (tr) to suspend or stretch from one point to another |
| 23. | (tr) to thread on a string |
| 24. | (tr) to form or extend in a line or series |
| 25. | ( |
| 26. | informal to kill (a person) by hanging |
| 27. | (tr) to remove the stringy parts from (vegetables, esp beans) |
| 28. | (intr) (esp of viscous liquids) to become stringy or ropey |
| 29. | to cause to be tense or nervous |
| 30. | billiards another word for lag |
| [Old English streng; related to Old High German strang, Old Norse strengr; see | |
| 'stringlike | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
string
O.E. streng "line, cord, thread," from P.Gmc. *strangiz (cf. O.N. strengr, Dan. streng, M.Du. strenge, Du. streng, O.H.G. strang, Ger. Strang "rope, cord"), from base *strang- "taut, stiff," from PIE base *strenk- "tight, narrow; pull tight, twist" (see strain). Gradually
restricted by early M.E. to lines that are smaller than a rope. Sense of "a number of objects arranged in a line" first recorded 1488. O.E. meaning "ligaments, tendons" is preserved in hamstring, heartstrings. Meaning "limitations, stipulations" (1888) is Amer.Eng., probably from the common April Fool's joke of leaving a purse that looks full of money on the sidewalk, then tugging it away with an attached string when someone stoops to pick it up. To pull strings "control the course of affairs" (1860) is from the notion of puppet theater. First string, second string, etc. in athletics (1863) is from archers' custom of carrying spare bowstrings in the event that one breaks. Strings "stringed instruments" is attested from c.1340. String bean is from 1759; string bikini is from 1974.
string
c.1400, "to fit a bow with a string," from string (n.). Meaning "to thread (beads, etc.) on a string" is from 1612. To string (someone) along is slang from 1902; string (v.) in this sense is attested in British dialect from c.1812. Stringer "newspaper correspondent paid by
length of copy" is attested from 1952, probably from earlier fig. sense of "one who strings words together" (1774).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
pull strings definition
To use personal connections to obtain a position: “Pat was officially interviewed for the job, but he also had his uncle pulling strings behind the scenes.” This phrase makes reference to the operation of string-controlled puppets, or marionettes.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
pull strings
Also, pull wires. Use one's influence, as in By pulling strings he got us house seats to the opening, or His father pulled some wires and got him out of jail. Both terms allude to manipulating a marionette. The first dates from the second half of the 1800s, the second from the early 1800s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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