be kept on a short leash

be kept on a short leash

To be strictly controlled (by someone); to not be allowed very much independence or autonomy. George has been kept on a short leash by his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. Everyone feels like they've been kept on a short leash ever since that new manager took over.
See also: kept, leash, on, short
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • leash
  • be on a short leash
  • be kept on a tight leash
  • be on a tight leash
  • on a short leash
  • short leash
  • on a tight lead
  • on a short lead
  • on a tight leash
  • tied to someone's apron strings
References in periodicals archive
For them it went almost without saying that someone would be sent over from Switzerland to assume the presidency of EEI and that the American company would be kept on a short leash by the home office.
When customs collide: the pitfalls of international acquisitions