work through inside connections; pull strings
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to work through inside connections; to operate via the other party's family members or close confidants; to pull strings
Commonly used in diplomatic, business, or political contexts where indirect influence is exerted through personal relationships rather than official channels. Often implies a backchannel approach that may lack transparency.
Wèi为
le了
cù促
chéng成
zhè这
bǐ笔
jiāo交
yì易
，
tā他
jué决
dìng定
zǒu走
nèi内
xiàn线
，
tōng通
guò过
dǒng董
shì事
zhǎng长
de的
fū夫
rén人
chuán传
dá达
yì意
xiàng向
。
To facilitate this deal, he decided to work through inside connections, conveying his intentions via the chairman's wife.
Zài在
wài外
jiāo交
tán谈
pàn判
zhōng中
，
yǒu有
shí时
zǒu走
nèi内
xiàn线
bǐ比
zhèng正
shì式
qú渠
dào道
gèng更
yǒu有
xiào效
。
In diplomatic negotiations, sometimes working through back channels is more effective than official avenues.
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Zhè这
zhǒng种
zuò做
fǎ法
jiù就
shì是
zǒu走
nèi内
xiàn线
，
suī虽
rán然
xiào见
guǒ效
kuài快
，
dàn但
fēng风
xiǎn险
yě也
bù不
xiǎo小
。
This approach is simply pulling strings; although it yields quick results, the risks are considerable.
Tā他
bù不
xǐ喜
huan欢
zǒu走
nèi内
xiàn线
，
nìng宁
yuàn愿
píng凭
zì自
jǐ己
de的
shí实
lì力
jìng竞
zhēng争
。
He dislikes using inside connections and would rather compete based on his own abilities.