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.
ter alguém nas mãos, ter alguém pelo saco
(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.
A empresa o tinha nas mãos depois que ele assinou aquele contrato.
•
She knew his secret, so she had him by the short and curlies.
Ela sabia o segredo dele, então o tinha nas mãos.