Influence, so to speak (4)
I believe the answer is:
pull
'influence so to speak' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for pull that I've seen before include "Attract; tow" , "One in singles bar may try to" , "Influence; draw" , "Woolly" , "Strain (muscle); extract (tooth)" .)