get (one) by the short and curlies
get (one) by the short and curlies
To have complete control or dominance over one. "The short and curlies" refers to the hairs on one's neck (not pubic hairs, despite popular misconceptions). With all that evidence against you, I'd say the police have got you by the short and curlies. Sometimes, I think Mark's wife has got him by the short and curlies.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get (or have) someone by the short and curlies (or short hairs)
have complete control of a person. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017