ENGLISH
REFERENCE

have someone by the balls

idiom

To exercise total control over someone; to be in a position to threaten or extort someone.


Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    balls of steel

    Courage, audacity.

  3. 03

    balls to the wall

    With maximum effort or commitment.

  4. 04

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  5. 05

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  6. 06

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  7. 07

    bust one's balls

    To work very hard; to put in a lot of effort.

  8. 08

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

© 2026 English Reference