Native English speaker, would give the same rough definitions for each phrase if asked[0], but for whatever reason I read the GP and didn't think it was out of

Native English speaker, would give the same rough definitions for each phrase if asked[0], but for whatever reason I read the GP and didn't think it was out of place at all. Immediately got the intended meaning. Even after having it pointed out it seems fine to me, in fact I can't really see the "control" meaning even though I know it should be there. [0]: Though I'd use "pulling the strings" and "pulling at threads".