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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