under one's thumb

under one's thumb
• under one's thumb
• under the thumb
obedient to someone, controlled by someone

He is only an assistant salesman but he has his boss under his thumb.

Digest 22/2002
under someone's control

Don't ask Margie to make a change in our work schedule. Even though it is her responsibility, she won't do anything without Larry's permission. She's under Larry's thumb.

I feel sorry for those two young people. They will never be allowed to make their own decisions or lead their own lives. Their mother will always control them. They will always be under their mother's thumb.

Compare: tied to one's mother's apron strings.
The expression suggests a dramatic difference between the person in control and the person who is controlled, the latter being so small or so weak as to be held down by a thumb.

Idioms and examples. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Under one's thumb — Thumb Thumb, n. [OE. thombe, thoumbe, [thorn]ume, AS. [thorn][=u]ma; akin to OFries. th[=u]ma, D. duim, G. daumen, OHG. d[=u]mo, Icel. [thorn]umall, Dan. tommelfinger, Sw. tumme, and perhaps to L. tumere to swell. [root]56. Cf. {Thimble}, {Tumid} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • under one's thumb — phrasal see under the thumb of * * * under one s thumb Under one s domination • • • Main Entry: ↑thumb …   Useful english dictionary

  • under\ one's\ thumb — • under (some)one s thumb • under the thumb adj or adv. phr. Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother. Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb. The mayor is …   Словарь американских идиом

  • under one's thumb — or[under the thumb] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. * /The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother./ * /Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb./ * /The mayor is so… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under one's thumb — or[under the thumb] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. * /The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother./ * /Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb./ * /The mayor is so… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under one's thumb — or under the thumb phrasal under control ; in a state of subservience < her father did not have her that much under his thumb Hamilton Basso > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • under one's thumb — adj. under the control of; manipulated by. Under My Thumb (song title) …   English slang

  • under one's thumb — adjective Completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command. She has the entire crew under her thumb. They would do anything for her …   Wiktionary

  • under someone's thumb — • under one s thumb • under the thumb obedient to someone, controlled by someone He is only an assistant salesman but he has his boss under his thumb. Digest 22/2002 under someone s control Don t ask Margie to make a change in our work schedule.… …   Idioms and examples

  • under\ someone's\ thumb — • under (some)one s thumb • under the thumb adj or adv. phr. Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother. Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb. The mayor is …   Словарь американских идиом

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