# have someone by the short and curlies

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-someone-by-the-short-and-curlies
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of have someone by the short hairs.

## Examples

- The bank has him by the short and curlies because of his debt.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.