curliesBrE /ˈkɜːliz/ NAmE /ˈkɜːrliz/●get/have sb by the short ˈhairs ( get/have sb by the short and ˈcurlies) (informal) get/have sb in a position where they must agree to what you want任意摆布某人;使某人就范;完全操纵某人◆We can’t go on strike because the boss will simply hire new staff. He’s got us by the short and curlies.我们不能罢工,因为那样老板就会去雇新员工,他操纵着我们的命运。NOTEShort and curlies refers to the hairs on a person’s body. * short and curlies 指人体的毛发。