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pull strings

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string

  [string] noun, verb, strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string⋅ing.
Use pull strings in a Sentence
–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, esp. 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, esp. 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.
26. to provide or adorn with something suspended or slung: a room strung with festoons.
27. to deprive of a string or strings; strip the strings from: to string beans.
28. to make tense, as the sinews, nerves, mind, etc.
29. to kill by hanging (usually fol. by up).
30. Slang. to fool or hoax.
–verb (used without object)
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.
—Verb phrases
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. 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.
—Idioms
35. on a or 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 or 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:
bef. 900; (n.) ME string, streng, OE streng; c. D streng, G Strang; akin to L stringere to bind; (v.) late ME stringen to string a bow, deriv. of the n.

Related forms:
stringless, adjective
stringlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pull   (pŏŏl)   
v.   pulled, pull·ing, pulls

v.   tr.

  1. To apply force to so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the source of the force.

  2. To remove from a fixed position; extract: The dentist pulled the tooth.

  3. To tug at; jerk or tweak.

  4. To rip or tear; rend.

  5. To stretch (taffy, for example) repeatedly.

  6. To strain (a muscle, for example) injuriously.

  7. Informal To attract; draw: a performer who pulls large crowds.

  8. Slang To draw out (a weapon) in readiness for use: pull a gun; pulled a knife on me.

  9. Informal To remove: pulled the engine; pulled the tainted meat product from the stores.

  10. Sports To hit (a ball) so that it moves in the direction away from the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the left of a right-handed player.

  11. Nautical

    1. To operate (an oar) in rowing.

    2. To transport or propel by rowing.

    3. To be rowed by: That boat pulls six oars.

  12. To rein in (a horse) to keep it from winning a race.

  13. Printing To produce (a print or an impression) from type.

v.   intr.

  1. To exert force in moving something toward the source of the force.

  2. To drink or inhale deeply: pulled on the cold beer with gusto; pull on a cigarette.

  3. Nautical To row a boat.

  4. Informal To express or feel great sympathy or empathy: We're pulling for our new president.

n.  

  1. The act or process of pulling.

  2. Force exerted in pulling or required to overcome resistance in pulling.

  3. A sustained effort: a long pull across the mountains.

  4. Something, such as a knob on a drawer, that is used for pulling.

  5. A deep inhalation or draft, as on a cigarette or of a beverage.

  6. Slang A means of gaining special advantage; influence: The lobbyist has pull with the senator.

  7. Informal Ability to draw or attract; appeal: a star with pull at the box office.

  8. To move away or backward; withdraw: The limousine pulled away from the curb.

  9. To move ahead: The horse pulled away and took the lead in the race.

  10. To demolish; destroy: pull down an old office building.

  11. To reduce to a lower level.

  12. To depress, as in spirits or health.

  13. Informal To draw (money) as wages: pulls down a hefty salary.

  14. To arrive at a destination: We pulled in at midnight.

  15. To rein in; restrain.

  16. To arrest (a criminal suspect, for example).

  17. To leave or depart: The train pulls out at noon.

  18. To withdraw, as from a situation or commitment: After the crash, many Wall Street investors pulled out.

  19. To bring a vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: We pulled over to watch the sunset.

  20. To instruct or force (a motorist) to bring his or her vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: The state trooper pulled the speeding motorist over.

  21. To bring or come to a halt.

  22. To move to a position or place ahead, as in a race.

Phrasal Verb(s):
pull aheadTo move ahead, as in a race.
pull away

  1. To move away or backward; withdraw: The limousine pulled away from the curb.

  2. To move ahead: The horse pulled away and took the lead in the race.

pull backTo withdraw or retreat.
pull down

  1. To demolish; destroy: pull down an old office building.

  2. To reduce to a lower level.

  3. To depress, as in spirits or health.

  4. Informal To draw (money) as wages: pulls down a hefty salary.

pull in

  1. To arrive at a destination: We pulled in at midnight.

  2. To rein in; restrain.

  3. To arrest (a criminal suspect, for example).

pull off Informal To perform in spite of difficulties or obstacles; bring off: pulled off a last-minute victory.
pull out

  1. To leave or depart: The train pulls out at noon.

  2. To withdraw, as from a situation or commitment: After the crash, many Wall Street investors pulled out.

pull over

  1. To bring a vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: We pulled over to watch the sunset.

  2. To instruct or force (a motorist) to bring his or her vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: The state trooper pulled the speeding motorist over.

pull roundTo restore or be restored to sound health.
pull throughTo come or bring successfully through trouble or illness.
pull up

  1. To bring or come to a halt.

  2. To move to a position or place ahead, as in a race.


Idiom(s):
pull a fast one Informal To play a trick or perpetrate a fraud.

Idiom(s):
pull (oneself) togetherTo regain one's composure.

Idiom(s):
pull (one's) punchesTo refrain from deploying all the resources or force at one's disposal: didn't pull any punches during the negotiations.

Idiom(s):
pull (one's) weightTo do one's own share, as of work.

Idiom(s):
pull out all the stops Informal To deploy all the resources or force at one's disposal: The Inaugural Committee pulled out all the stops when arranging the ceremonies.

Idiom(s):
pull (someone's) legTo play a joke on; tease or deceive.

Idiom(s):
pull somethingTo carry out a deception or swindle.

Idiom(s):
pull strings/wires Informal To exert secret control or influence in order to gain an end.

Idiom(s):
pull the plug on Slang To stop supporting or bring to an end: pulled the plug on the new art courses.

Idiom(s):
pull the rug (out) from under Informal To remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly.

Idiom(s):
pull the stringBaseball To throw an off-speed pitch.

Idiom(s):
pull the wool over (someone's) eyesTo deceive; hoodwink.

Idiom(s):
pull togetherTo make a joint effort.

Idiom(s):
pull up stakesTo clear out; leave: She pulled up stakes in New England and moved to the desert.

[Middle English pullen, from Old English pullian.]
pull'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to cause something to move toward the source of an applied force: pull a sled up a hill; drag furniture across the floor; drew up a chair; hauls wood from the forest; a car that tows a trailer; tugged at the oars.
Antonym: push
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

pull strings

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.
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Word Origin & History

string  (v.)
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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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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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