curly

curly dirt

Clumps of dust. Please dust this room, and be sure to get the curly dirt that's gathered under the couch.
See also: curly, dirt

get (one) by the short and curlies

To have complete control or dominance over one. "The short and curlies" refers to the hairs on one's neck (not pubic hairs, despite popular misconceptions). With all that evidence against you, I'd say the police have got you by the short and curlies. Sometimes, I think Mark's wife has got him by the short and curlies.
See also: and, by, curly, get, short

have (one) by the short and curlies

To have complete control or dominance over someone; to have someone at one's mercy. "The short and curlies" refers to the hairs on one's neck (not pubic hairs, despite popular misconceptions). With all that evidence against you, I'd say the police have you by the short and curlies. Sometimes, I think Mark's wife has him by the short and curlies.
See also: and, by, curly, have, short
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

curly dirt

 and house moss; slut's wool
puffs of dirt and dust. How long has it been since you swept under this bed? There's a mountain of curly dirt under here! No one's been in this room for an age. Look at all the cobwebs and curly dirt. She was a terrible housekeeper. House moss collected in all the corners of her rooms.
See also: curly, dirt
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

have someone by the short and curlies

or

have someone by the short hairs

BRITISH, INFORMAL, RUDE
If someone has you by the short and curlies or by the short hairs, they have you completely in their power. The union's chief negotiator last night said: `We had the company by the short and curlies.' The managers knew they had us by the short hairs. Note: In this expression, `short and curlies' may refer to a person's pubic hair, to hair on the back of their neck, or to the hair in their beard.
See also: and, by, curly, have, short, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

get (or have) someone by the short and curlies (or short hairs)

have complete control of a person. informal
See also: and, by, curly, get, short, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

curly

n. a bald person, almost always a male. (Also a jocular term of address.) Well, Curly, looks like you got your dome sunburned!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • curly dirt
  • dust off
  • dust someone off
  • dust up
  • dust-up
  • dust bunny
  • dust kitten
  • dish the dirt on (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Treats like Curly Wurly, Fudge and Mini Fingers will be changed so each bar has under 100 calories by the end of next year.
Why Curly Wurly and other Cadbury chocolate bars are getting even SMALLER; And some of the treats won't be reduced in price, despite their soon to shrink size
There will be a whole field full of Curly Wurlys this weekend, now.
Mark Ronson is asking for []; THE DIARY
Kevin, who played assistant supermarket manager Curly from 1983 to 2003, also seemed surprised by reports of his return, saying on Twitter: "If it's true that's fine by me."
'No plans' for Corrie Curly's Rovers return; THE DIARY Email: katie.fitzpatrick@reachplc.com Phone: 0161 211 2816 Email: vickie.scullard@reachplc.com Phone: 0161 211 2194 See more celebrity pictures, videos and interviews online at: manchestereveningnews.co.uk KATIE FITZPATRICK & VICKIE SCULLARD with all the inside stories In association with STREET SOURCE QUASHES RUMOURS
The 'before' girl is always the one with the big rough looking curly hair - that just needs some conditioning to look beautiful - and the 'after' is a girl with straight hair!
Pop singer Annie wants Pakistani women to embrace their curly hair
We've not had Curly Girl long and the change of scene seems to have done her good.
Bargain basement buy Ella turns over expensive newcomer
The dream dance soloists of Benita Bnger as Laurey, Lucas Segovia as Curly and Alejandro Fonseca as Jud delight with their soaring athleticism and grace, even when they're weaving amid the creepiness of designer Jesse Klug's moody lighting, or the overly blonde dancers in pink (a compelling choice by costume designer Brian Hemesath to differentiate between the dream and real worlds).
Marriott Theatre's 'Oklahoma!' a rousing revival
Unlike braids and some straight weaves where you can go a day between keeping it moisturised, the curly weavon doesn't respond well to lack of moisture.
Bring your curly weaves back to life
The Organic Stylist's journey to become a curly hair specialist began as a curious adolescent who was never afraid to ask questions in her search for knowledge.
The Organic Stylist Brings Her Services to the Castro District of San Francisco
The 23-year-old says her curly hair takes a lot of work.
Ella Eyre rarely washes her hair
He was also linked to Curly Bill Graham and Curly Bill Bresnaham--both notorious robbers and rustlers--and Brocius was credited with some of their crimes.
The terror of Cochise County: operating under the nickname of Curly Bill, this rustler/gunman was sometimes referred to as Arizona's most famous outlaw
It's about time, says Michele Scott-Lynch, the curly founder of haircare brand Boucleme (boucleme.co.uk).
Back in frizz-ness; CURLY GIRLS - IT'S TIME TO WEAR THOSE RINGLETS WITH PRIDE, AS THIS SEASON'S HAIR IS ALL ABOUT THE BIG AND BOUNCY. KATE WHITING ROUNDS UP HER FAVOURITE PRODUCTS FOR SUPER SPIRALS
2 OWAY CURLY POTION, PS24 (oway.co.uk) MADE from natural ingredients from a biodynamic eco farm in Italy, OWAY's Curly Potion helps nourish hair.
FIVE TOP CURLY HAIR PRODUCTS
FIVE TOP CURLY HAIR PRODUCTS 1 AQUIS LISSE LUXE HAIR TOWEL, PS30 (aquishair.co.uk) TOWEL drying can add to the frizz, warns stylist Phil Smith, who has a Be Gorgeous Curly Locks range.
Back in frizz-ness; CURLY GIRLS - IT'S TIME TO WEAR THOSE RINGLETS WITH PRIDE, AS THIS SEASON'S HAIR IS ALL ABOUT THE BIG AND BOUNCY. KATE WHITING ROUNDS UP HER FAVOURITE PRODUCTS FOR SUPER SPIRALS
Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Towel, PS30 (aquishair.co.uk) Towel drying can add to frizz, warns stylist Phil Smith, who has a Be Gorgeous Curly Locks range.
Curls just wanna have fun so make them big and bouncy with luxe products; BY SALLY MCLEAN Curls just wanna have fun so make them big and bouncy with luxe products
Finally, I felt comfortable enough to let my curly, Jewish hair loose.
How I Learned to Love My Curly, Jewish Locks