under someone's thumb
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Controlled or dominated by someone, as in He's been under his mother's thumb for years. The allusion in this metaphoric idiom is unclear, that is, why a thumb rather than a fist or some other anatomic part should symbolize control. [Mid-1700s]
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"
"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."
Question 1 of 7
IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?
Words nearby under someone's thumb
underskirt, undersleeve, underslung, undersoil, under someone's spell, under someone's thumb, under someone's wing, undersparred, underspend, underspin, understaffed
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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