by the short hairs

1. Under one's complete control. This expression is often used with get or have, as in She had her husband by the short hairs. It is in effect a euphemism for have someone by the balls, the hairs in question being pubic hair. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Poor Michael Flynn, they twisted these people, they got them in the perjury trap, they had them by the short hairs, got them to cooperate, and guess what?

From Fox News

“And she just kind of looked at me and grabbed me by the short hairs and said, ‘Fight for me, fight for our kids, and fight for the people that love you.’

From Washington Post

“Right now, they are holding us by the short hairs. You’d have to say, ‘O.K., we’re going to go with the Democrats so that Mark Meadows cannot be Mr. Veto.’

From The New Yorker

How can he put "America first" when the Russians may have him by the short hairs?

From New York Times

In the past, pay-TV companies had customers by the short hairs and could dictate terms.

From Los Angeles Times