hold sway over
hold sway (over someone)
To have or exert great control or influence (over someone). My father retired from politics years ago, but he still holds sway in the town to this day. It is suspected that the president's wife holds a lot of sway over the administration's policy.
See also: hold, sway
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hold sway over
Dominate, have a controlling influence over, as in He held sway over the entire department. This idiom uses the noun sway in the sense of "power" or "dominion," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
See also: hold, over, sway
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- hold sway
- hold sway (over someone)
- lead (one) (around) by the nose
- lead by the nose
- lead somebody by the nose
- lead someone by the nose
- get (one's) claws into (someone)
- get your claws into
- get your claws into somebody
- get your claws into someone