have someone by the short and curlies

Verb

Meaning

have someone by the short and curlies (third-person singular simple present has someone by the short and curlies, present participle having someone by the short and curlies, simple past and past participle had someone by the short and curlies)

(idiomatic, colloquial) to exercise total control over someone.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Synonyms

have someone by the short hairs have someone by the balls have someone over a barrel

Close letter words and terms

have some tea have somebody in hysterics have someone by the balls have someone by the short hairs have someone eating out of one's hand have someone following closely behind