Signification
Controlling a situation secretly.
Contexte culturel
In Swedish business culture, 'dra i trådarna' is often used to describe the 'Wallenberg family' or other major industrial groups that have historically influenced the economy from behind the scenes. The concept of the 'Kuromaku' (black curtain) is a direct cultural parallel, originating from the Bunraku and Kabuki theaters. In American politics, this phrase is often associated with 'smoke-filled rooms' and lobbyists in Washington D.C. The French 'tirer les ficelles' is very common in political satire and cartoons, often showing politicians as puppets.
Use with 'bakom kulisserna'
Adding 'bakom kulisserna' (behind the scenes) makes you sound very native and reinforces the meaning.
Watch the connotation
Be careful using this about your boss to their face; it can sound like you're calling them a manipulator.
Signification
Controlling a situation secretly.
Use with 'bakom kulisserna'
Adding 'bakom kulisserna' (behind the scenes) makes you sound very native and reinforces the meaning.
Watch the connotation
Be careful using this about your boss to their face; it can sound like you're calling them a manipulator.
The 'Hålla' vs 'Dra' distinction
If you want to praise someone for being a good project manager, use 'hålla i trådarna'. If you want to gossip about power, use 'dra i trådarna'.
Teste-toi
Fyll i rätt form av verbet 'dra'.
Igår ____ han i trådarna så att vi fick sluta tidigt.
The sentence starts with 'Igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'drog'.
Vilken preposition är rätt?
Vem är det som drar ____ trådarna?
The idiom 'dra i trådarna' always uses the preposition 'i'.
Matcha uttrycket med dess betydelse.
Matcha:
Understanding the nuances between these similar phrases is key.
Välj det svar som passar bäst i dialogen.
A: Vem bestämde att vi ska ha festen på lördag? B: ________
This correctly identifies the speaker as the one in control of the decision.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIgår ____ han i trådarna så att vi fick sluta tidigt.
The sentence starts with 'Igår' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'drog'.
Vem är det som drar ____ trådarna?
The idiom 'dra i trådarna' always uses the preposition 'i'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Understanding the nuances between these similar phrases is key.
A: Vem bestämde att vi ska ha festen på lördag? B: ________
This correctly identifies the speaker as the one in control of the decision.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNot always, but it often implies that the control is hidden, which can feel suspicious. However, in event planning, it can be neutral or even positive.
No, 'snören' (strings/laces) is not used in this idiom. You must use 'trådarna'.
The past tense is 'drog i trådarna'. Example: 'Han drog i trådarna förra året.'
Yes, it is a very common idiom that every native speaker knows and uses.
No, for shoelaces you use 'knyta' (tie) or 'dra åt' (tighten).
Expressions liées
hålla i trådarna
similarTo coordinate or manage an event.
ha ett finger med i spelet
similarTo be involved in something.
spindeln i nätet
similarThe person at the center of a network.
gå någons ärenden
contrastTo do someone's bidding (to be the puppet).
styra bakom kulisserna
synonymTo rule from behind the scenes.
