顔かおを利きかせる

expression, ichidan verb

use one's influence; pull strings

Refers to leveraging personal connections, reputation, or social standing to get something done, often in a business or social context.

• 彼かれは社しゃ長ちょうに顔かおを利きかせて、息子むすこを会かい社しゃに入いれた。

  He used his influence with the president to get his son into the company.

• この業ぎょう界かいでは、顔かおを利きかせることが大たい切せつだ。

  In this industry, it's important to be able to pull strings.