to stand upon points―to be punctilious
to steer a ship―(国家の枢機を握るの意味なら)―steer the ship of state―assume the helm of state―(人を操るの意味なら)―manage a person
to play (at) cat's cradle
くせを取る
take one's revenge―have one's revenge―revenge oneself―get even with one―settle accounts with one―pay one