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.
tenir quelqu'un par les couilles, avoir quelqu'un à sa merci
(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.
L'entreprise le tenait par les couilles après qu'il ait signé ce contrat.
•
She knew his secret, so she had him by the short and curlies.
Elle connaissait son secret, donc elle le tenait par les couilles.