夤缘yín yuán

本指攀附上升，后喻攀附权贵，向上巴结。

例乔松孤立，萝茑夤缘，柔附凌云，岂曰能贤。——《旧唐书·令孤楚牛僧孺传赞》夤缘得官。

英try to advance one's career by carrying favour with important people; make use of one's connections to climb up;