qui tire les ficelles

who pulls the strings

→ qui
phrase Rare #47,353
who pulls the strings An idiom for someone who secretly controls or influences events.
FR: Je me demande qui tire les ficelles.
EN: I wonder who’s pulling the strings.

Vous croyez que j'ignore qui tire les ficelles ?

Do you think I don't know who's pulling the strings?

Je sais qui tire les ficelles.

I know who's pulling the strings.

Qui tire les ficelles en coulisses ?

Who's pulling the strings behind the scenes?

C'est lui qui tire les ficelles, hein ?

He's the one pulling the strings, isn't he?