pull strings; use backdoor connections
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to solicit help from influential people; to seek connections through back doors to achieve a goal
informalColloquial expression often implying the use of unofficial channels or backdoor methods. Frequently collocates with 拉关系. Can carry a slightly negative connotation implying bypassing formal procedures.
Tā他
xiǎng想
jìn进
nà那
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
，
dào到
chù处
tuō托
mén门
zi子
zhǎo找
guān关
xi系
。
He wanted to get into that company and was everywhere pulling strings and seeking connections.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
shì事
bù不
néng能
tuō托
mén门
zi子
，
děi得
àn按
guī规
ju矩
bàn办
。
This kind of matter can't be handled through backdoor connections; it must be done by the rules.
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Bié别
tuō托
mén门
zi子
le了
，
hái还
shì是
píng凭
zhēn真
běn本
shi事
ba吧
。
Don't bother pulling strings; rely on your real abilities instead.
Tā他
wèi为
le了
gěi给
hái孩
zi子
bàn办
rù入
xué学
，
sì四
chù处
tuō托
mén门
zi子
。
In order to get his child enrolled in school, he went everywhere soliciting help from connections.