have (got) someone by the short and curlies
US /hæv ɡɑt ˈsʌm.wʌn baɪ ðə ʃɔrt ænd ˈkɜr.liz/
UK /hæv ɡɑt ˈsʌm.wʌn baɪ ðə ʃɔrt ænd ˈkɜr.liz/
1.
nắm thóp ai đó, kiểm soát hoàn toàn ai đó
(informal, sometimes offensive) to have complete control over someone, especially by having an advantage over them or by knowing something about them that they want to keep secret
:
•
The company had him by the short and curlies after he signed that contract.
Công ty nắm thóp anh ta sau khi anh ta ký hợp đồng đó.
•
She knew his secret, so she had him by the short and curlies.
Cô ấy biết bí mật của anh ta, nên cô ấy nắm thóp anh ta.