moh-BER lohs EE-lohs
Literally, this means 'to move the strings'.
In reality, it means to control people or events from behind the scenes.
Aunque el presidente es la cara pública, todos saben que es su asesor quien realmente mueve los hilos.
B2Although the president is the public face, everyone knows it's his advisor who really pulls the strings.
Se sospecha que un grupo de inversores está moviendo los hilos para cambiar la dirección de la empresa.
C1It's suspected that a group of investors is pulling the strings to change the company's management.
This idiom comes directly from the world of puppetry and marionette theater. A puppeteer, hidden from the audience's view, literally 'moves the strings' ('mueve los hilos') to control the puppets on stage, making them act out the story. The phrase was adopted to describe any situation where someone exerts hidden influence or control over people or events, just like a puppet master.
Use 'mover los hilos' to talk about someone who has the real power in a situation but isn't the official leader. It often implies a bit of secrecy, strategy, or manipulation.
Mistake: “Using 'mover los hilos' when someone is giving direct, open commands.”
Correction: This idiom is for *indirect* or *secret* control. If a boss is openly telling employees what to do, they are 'dando órdenes' (giving orders), not 'moviendo los hilos'.
Extremely common in all contexts, from politics to office gossip.
Widely understood and used across most of Latin America with the same meaning.
Question 1 of 1
If someone 'mueve los hilos' in a company, what is their role?
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Not always, but it often does. Because it implies secrecy and manipulation, it can carry a negative connotation of someone being controlling or dishonest. However, it can also be used more neutrally to simply describe who has the real influence.
