play someone like a fiddle
To play (manipulate) (a person) skillfully.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He played her like a fiddle to get what he wanted.”
“The clever salesman played the customer like a fiddle, convincing him to buy the most expensive car on the lot.”
“By exploiting his rival's vanity and insecurity, the strategist played him like a fiddle, ensuring the entire negotiation unfolded exactly as he had planned.”
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and the like
And other similar items; et cetera.
- 02
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 03
be like
To say.
- 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
built like a brick outhouse
Synonym of built like a brick shithouse.
- 08
built like a brick shipyard
Synonym of built like a brick shithouse.
Last updated August 10, 2026