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Antonyms for pull strings


Grammar : Verb
Spell : string
Phonetic Transcription : strɪŋ



Definition of pull strings

Origin :
  • Old English streng "line, cord, thread," from Proto-Germanic *strangiz (cf. Old Norse strengr, Danish streng, Middle Dutch strenge, Dutch streng, Old High German strang, German Strang "rope, cord"), from *strang- "taut, stiff," from PIE root *strenk- "tight, narrow; pull tight, twist" (see strain). Gradually restricted by early Middle English to lines that are smaller than a rope. Sense of "a number of objects arranged in a line" first recorded late 15c.
  • Old English meaning "ligaments, tendons" is preserved in hamstring, heartstrings. Meaning "limitations, stipulations" (1888) is American English, 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 mid-14c. String bean is from 1759; string bikini is from 1974.
  • As in influence : verb lead to believe, do
  • As in lobby : verb press for political action
  • As in machinate : verb maneuver, plot
  • As in manage : verb accomplish
  • As in maneuver : verb plan, scheme
  • As in manipulate : verb change to suit one's desire
  • As in operate : verb manage, use
  • As in order : verb command, authorize
  • As in preside : verb be in authority
  • As in run : verb manage, supervise
  • As in one-up : verb trump
  • As in administer : verb manage an organization or effort
  • As in engineer : verb devise; bring about
  • As in favor : verb pamper, reward; help
  • As in finesse : verb maneuver, manipulate
  • As in fix : verb manipulate, influence an event
  • As in govern : verb take control; rule
Example sentences :
  • After some anxious thought he decided that it was his duty to try to pull strings.
  • Extract from : « December Love » by Robert Hichens
  • It's the only way; you're too drunk to pull strings with that pardner o' yours, and we're goin' to stand by you, see?
  • Extract from : « The Helpers » by Francis Lynde
  • They hop with the most confident air, and day after day pull strings out of the ground.
  • Extract from : « Cornell Nature-Study Leaflets » by Various
  • And the first thing to do was to assume direction of the police, to pull strings, to engineer matters.
  • Extract from : « The Borough Treasurer » by Joseph Smith Fletcher
  • She was still able to pull strings, and to make her influence felt in various directions.
  • Extract from : « The Magnificent Montez » by Horace Wyndham
  • I want to pull strings, even for somebody else, or be Princetonian chairman or Triangle president.
  • Extract from : « This Side of Paradise » by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Synonyms for pull strings

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019