hold (someone) to ransom

to force someone to do something by putting them in a situation where something bad will happen to them if they do not.

Some people regarded the miners' strike as the union holding the nation to ransom.

• you are something all over
• you bet
• You better believe it!
• you better believe it
• You bet your ass!
• you bet your ass
• you bet your bottom dollar
• you bet your sweet ass
• You bet your sweet ass!
• you can bet on it
• you can bet your bottom dollar
• you can bet your life
• you can kiss goodbye
• you can kiss something goodbye
• You can lead a horse to water.
• You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
• You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
• you can say that again
• You can say that again!
• You can talk!
• You can't judge a book by its cover.
• You can't keep a good man down.
• You can't keep a good woman down.
• You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.
• You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.