tirare i fili
Italian
editEtymology
editLiterally, “to pull the strings”. Compare French tirer les ficelles.
Verb
edittiràre i fili (first-person singular present tìro i fili, first-person singular past historic tirài i fili, past participle tiràto i fili, auxiliary avére)
- to be in control of other people or situations; to mastermind; to pull the strings