have someone by the short and curlies: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  United KingdomAustraliainformalliteralcolloquialMachine
  • To grasp a person by a small, typically curled patch of hair.

  Examples

  Beta

  • During the prank, Tim managed to have his brother by the short and curlies, making him laugh uncontrollably.

    Durante la broma, Tim logró agarrar a su hermano por el mechón rizado, haciéndolo reír sin control.

  • She quickly had the cat by the short and curlies to stop it from scratching the furniture.

    Rápidamente agarró al gato por el mechón rizado para evitar que arañara los muebles.

  • In the wrestling class, one technique was to have the opponent by the short and curlies to gain control.

    En la clase de lucha, una técnica era agarrar al oponente por el mechón rizado para ganar control.

  • He had his little sister by the short and curlies playfully, but immediately let go when she protested.

    Agarró juguetonamente a su hermanita por el mechón rizado, pero la soltó de inmediato cuando ella protestó.

• 2.

  United KingdomAustraliaidiomaticcolloquialinformalMachine
  • To place someone in a difficult or compromising situation in which they have no good alternatives and can be controlled or coerced.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The company had the contractor by the short and curlies with a strict deadline and penalties for delays.

    La empresa tenía al contratista en una situación difícil con un plazo estricto y sanciones por retrasos.

  • When the politician was caught in a scandal, the opposition had him by the short and curlies, threatening exposure.

    Cuando el político fue atrapado en un escándalo, la oposición lo tenía en una situación comprometida, amenazando con exponerlo.

  • If you sign that contract, they’ll have you by the short and curlies with no way to back out without losing money.

    Si firmas ese contrato, te tendrán en una situación difícil sin forma de retractarte sin perder dinero.