pull strings

If you 'pull strings' you use important people you know to help you get what you want.

pull the strings

elduaien.blogspot.com 

to be in control of an organization, often secretly 

I'd really like to know who's pulling the strings in that organization, because it's not the elected committee.

to control the actions of a person or group, often secretly 

I'd like to know who's pulling the strings in that organization, because it's not the elected committee. 

He wanted to make his own decision, with no one pulling his strings.