have (got)someoneby the short and curlies
idiomUKvery informal(alsohave (got)someoneby the short hairs)to have someone inyourpower
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrasesControlling and being in charge
- aggrandize
- assume
- assumption
- authoritative
- authoritatively
- commanding
- dictate
- guiding principle
- harness
- havesomeoneby the ballsidiom
- havesomeoneeating out ofyourhandidiom
- have/hold the whip handidiom
- helm
- override
- police
- policing
- possess
- power play
- predominate
- skipper
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