under one's thumb: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USUKWorldwideinformalpejorative
  • To have control over someone, so that they are dominated, subservient, or easily influenced by the controller.
  • To keep a person in a dependent or submissive position by exercising authority, influence, or coercion.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Many felt that the new manager kept his staff under his thumb, controlling every aspect of their work.

    Muchos sentían que el nuevo gerente tenía a su personal bajo su control, controlando cada aspecto de su trabajo.

  • She was under her father’s thumb for years, unable to make decisions without his approval.

    Ella estuvo bajo el control de su padre durante años, incapaz de tomar decisiones sin su aprobación.

  • The dictator held the entire country under his thumb through strict laws and censorship.

    El dictador mantenía a todo el país bajo su control mediante leyes estrictas y censura.

  • It's hard to believe he still has his sister under his thumb after all these years.

    Es difícil creer que todavía tenga a su hermana bajo su control después de todos estos años.