under the thumb

under the 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 ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • under\ the\ 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 the Thumb — Infobox Single Name = Under the Thumb Artist = Amy Studt from Album = False Smiles B side = Released = flagicon|UK September 29, 2003 Format = CD single Digital download Genre = Pop, Rock Length = 3:45 Label = Polydor Last single = Misfit (2003)… …   Wikipedia

  • under the thumb of — phrasal or under one s thumb : under the influence of : in a state of subservience to is under the thumb of an excellent but stern mother V.S.Pritchett had only to bring under his thumb the existing control points Wall Street Journal …   Useful english dictionary

  • under the thumb of — See: UNDER ONE S THUMB …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under the thumb of — See: UNDER ONE S THUMB …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under the thumb — phrasal see under one s thumb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • under\ the\ thumb\ of — See: under one s thumb …   Словарь американских идиом

  • be under the thumb — British & Australian, informal if a man is under the thumb, he is completely controlled by his wife. He won t be able to do any of this without his wife s permission. He s under the thumb these days …   New idioms dictionary

  • Under My Thumb — Chanson par The Rolling Stones extrait de l’album Aftermath Pays  Royaume Uni S …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Under My Thumb — «Under My Thumb» Canción de The Rolling Stones álbum Aftermath Publicación 15 de abril (UK), 20 de junio (US) de 1966 …   Wikipedia Español

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