back-seat driving;engineer (/manoeuvre) backstage; manipulate behind the scenes; pull strings (/wire) behind the scenes
❍ 他们有的在前台表演，有的～。Among them some appeared on the stage while others pulled strings behind the scenes.
幕后操纵mù hòu cāo zònɡ
形容躲在后面指挥或出谋划策。pull strings behind the scenes, engineer backstage, manipulate from behind the scenes, wire-pulling