暗中操纵 [
àn zhōng cāo zòng]
pull (the) strings from behind the scenes
manipulate surreptitiously
- 没有人怀疑李健熙继续在幕后暗中操纵。
No one doubted that Mr Lee continued to pull strings from behind the scenes. - 在选举中有人暗中操纵。
In the election somebody worked the strings. - 马度克机关不存在。暗中操纵的是NERV。
Marduk Institute does not exist. It is NERV itself that is pulling the strings.