under someone's thumb

US /ˈʌndər ˈsʌmˌwʌnz θʌm/
UK /ˈʌndər ˈsʌmˌwʌnz θʌm/
"under someone's thumb" picture
1.

completely under someone's control

:
•
She has her husband completely under her thumb.
•
The whole department is under his thumb.
:
thumbwell thumbedthumb pianogreen thumbthumbs upthumbs downrule of thumb