The bank has him by the short and curlies because of his debt.
have someone by the short and curlies
idiomSynonym of have someone by the short hairs.
Because the company owns the only patent for the technology, they have their competitors by the short and curlies.
By controlling the supply of essential raw materials, the supplier effectively had the entire manufacturing industry by the short and curlies.
- 01
a day late and a dollar short
Too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect.
- 02
a short drop and a sudden stop
A fall to one's death by hanging.
- 03
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 04
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 05
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 06
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 07
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 08
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.