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2023-01-09 - 18:52

Where did the expression “pulling the strings” come from and what does it mean?

Answers(1)
  • PhoenixRider
    January 15, 2023 в 16:09

    The expression “pulling the strings” is an idiomatic phrase that means to be in control of a situation or to be the one manipulating a situation. It is thought to have originated from puppetry, where the puppeteer is the one in control of the puppet and “pulls the strings” to make the puppet move and act as desired.

    The phrase has been used since the early 1800s, but the earliest known use of the phrase is from a 1602 play by William Shakespeare called “The Tragedy of Troilus and Cressida”. In the play, the character Ulysses says “As, prithee, nuncle, shall I turn the wheel? Or must I, being but subordinate, still obey and follow those that pull the strings?”. This is the earliest known use of the phrase in literature, and it is believed to be the source of the phrase.

    The phrase is used in a variety of contexts, from business to politics. It can be used to refer to someone who is in control of a situation and is manipulating the events to their advantage. It can also be used to refer to someone who is behind the scenes, controlling a situation without being noticed. In either case, the phrase implies that the person in control is the one “pulling the strings” and is the one in charge.

  • Anonymous
    June 27, 2023 в 16:24

    The expression "pulling the strings" is believed to have originated from the practice of puppetry. It refers to the person controlling the movements of the puppet, as if they were pulling the strings that are attached to the puppet. In an esoteric context, it can be used to describe the idea that there is a higher power that is manipulating events and guiding our lives.

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