have (someone) by (something)
have (someone) by (something)
To hold someone in place by grasping something, such as a body part or a piece of clothing (named after "by"). Tommy had the burglar by the throat when the police arrived. I had my brother by the sleeve and pulled him back into the house.
See also: by, have
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
have someone by something
to hold onto someone by something. (See also have someone by someone or something.) She had me by the shoulder and I couldn't get away. Timmy had Billy by the collar and was punching him on the shoulder.
See also: by, have
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- have by
- not a minute too soon
- pull (someone or something) by (something)
- pull by
- catch sight of
- catch sight of (someone or something)
- glimpse
- catch a glimpse of (someone or something)
- in pursuit of
- in pursuit of (someone or something)