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

be kept on a tight leash

To be strictly controlled (by someone); to not be allowed very much independence or autonomy. George has been kept on a tight 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 tight leash ever since that new manager took over.
See also: kept, leash, on, tight

be on a short leash

To be strictly controlled (by someone); to not be allowed very much independence or autonomy. George has been on a short leash with his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. Everyone feels like they're on a short leash at the office ever since that new manager took over.
See also: leash, on, short

be on a tight leash

To be strictly controlled (by someone); to not be allowed very much independence or autonomy. George has been on a tight leash with his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. Everyone feels like they're on a tight leash at the office ever since that new manager took over.
See also: leash, on, tight

have (one) on a short leash

To maintain strict or tight control over one; to not allow one very much independence or autonomy. Poor George seems like doesn't get out too much these days. I think his husband has him on a short leash. The boss has had her assistant on a short leash ever since she hired her.
See also: have, leash, on, short

have (one's) brain on a leash

slang To be drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You really had your brain on a leash!
See also: brain, have, leash, on

have (someone) on a tight leash

To maintain strict or tight control over someone; to not allow someone very much independence or autonomy. Poor George seems like he doesn't get out too much these days. I think his husband has him on a tight leash. The boss has had her assistant on a tight leash ever since she hired her.
See also: have, leash, on, tight

keep (one) on a tight leash

To maintain strict or tight control over one; to not allow one very much independence or autonomy. Ever since Sarah lost their life savings in a drunken poker match, her husband started keeping her on a tight leash. The boss has kept her assistant on a tight leash ever since she hired him.
See also: keep, leash, on, tight

keep (someone) on a short leash

To maintain strict or tight control over someone; to not allow someone very much independence or autonomy. Ever since George nearly lost his life savings in a drunken poker match, his husband started keeping him on a short leash. The boss has kept her assistant on a short leash ever since she hired her.
See also: keep, leash, on, short

long leash

A phrase indicating that one is given a lot of independence or is not under very strict control by someone else. Her parents giver her quite a long leash, so it doesn't surprise me that she gets up to as much trouble as she does. They may be regretting the long leash they gave their candidate ahead of the campaign.
See also: leash, long

on a short leash

With strict, overbearing control that limit's one's independence or autonomy. George has been on a short leash with his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. The boss has had her assistant on a short leash ever since she hired her.
See also: leash, on, short

on a tight leash

Under (someone's) strict control; not allowed (by someone) to have very much independence or autonomy. Ever since George nearly lost his life savings in a drunken poker match, his husband started keeping him on a tight leash. Everyone feels like they're on a tight leash at the office ever since that new manager took over.
See also: leash, on, tight

short leash

A phrase that highlights one's lack of independence or autonomy due to being strongly controlled by another. George has been on a short leash with his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. Everyone feels like they're on a short leash at the office ever since that new manager took over.
See also: leash, short

strain at the leash

To try to take action, especially when faced with obstacles. The phrase alludes to a dog pulling at its leash because it wants to walk at a different pace or in a different direction than its owner. Ever since she got her driver's license, my daughter has been straining at the leash for more freedom.
See also: leash, strain
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

have one's brain on a leash

Sl. to be drunk. Maxhad his brain on a leash before he even got to the party. Some guy who had his brain on a leash ran his car off the road.
See also: brain, have, leash, on

on a tight leash

 
1. Lit. [of an animal] on a leash, held tightly and close to its owner. I keep my dog on a tight leash so it won't bother people.
2. Fig. under very careful control. My father keeps my brother on a tight leash. We can't do much around here. The boss has us all on a tight leash.
3. Sl. addicted to some drug. Wilbur is on a tight leash. He has to have the stuff regularly. Gert is kept on a tight leash by her habit.
See also: leash, on, tight

strain at the leash

 
1. Lit. [for a dog] to pull very hard on its leash. It's hard to walk Fido, because he is always straining at the leash. I wish that this dog would not strain at the leash. It's very hard on me.
2. Fig. [for a person] to want to move ahead with things, aggressively and independently. She wants to fix things right away. She is straining at the leash to get started. Paul is straining at the leash to get on the job.
See also: leash, strain
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

be straining at the leash

If someone is straining at the leash, they are very eager to do things. Note: A `leash' is a long thin piece of leather or chain, which you attach to a dog's collar so that you can keep the dog under control. The players all know that there are plenty of youngsters straining at the leash to take their places if they don't perform.
See also: leash, strain

a long leash

If someone is given a long leash, they are allowed a lot of freedom to do what they want. Note: A `leash' is a long thin piece of leather or chain, which you attach to a dog's collar so that you can keep the dog under control. He thinks it best to let people have a long leash. `If some want to make fools of themselves, I let them do that, too.' Inga knew that she had to give Judd a long leash or he would have left her. Note: You can say that someone is given a longer leash if they are given more freedom. At the beginning of the campaign, the Republican candidate was given a longer leash than ever before.
See also: leash, long

on a short leash

or

on a tight leash

If someone is on a short leash or on a tight leash, they are only allowed a small amount of freedom to do what they want. Note: A `leash' is a long thin piece of leather or chain, which you attach to a dog's collar so that you can keep the dog under control. Refusing to comment, the spokeswoman said: `I am on a very short leash on this subject.' The government kept its troops on a tight leash. Note: You can also just say that someone is on a leash with the same meaning. He has demonstrated time and time again that he needs to be kept on a leash. Note: You can say that someone is on a shorter leash or on a tighter leash if they are given less freedom. Everybody's treated a little different. Some guys are on a shorter leash than others. These scandals have prompted boards to put executives on a tighter leash.
See also: leash, on, short
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

strain at the leash

be eager to begin or do something.
See also: leash, strain
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

strain at the ˈleash

(informal) want to be free from control; want to do something very much: Why don’t you let her leave home? Can’t you see she’s straining at the leash? He’s straining at the leash to leave Britain for somewhere sunnier.
A leash is a long piece of leather, chain or rope used for holding and controlling a dog.
See also: leash, strain
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

have one’s brain on a leash

tv. to be drunk. Wayne had his brain on a leash before he even got to the party.
See also: brain, have, leash, on

on a tight leash

1. mod. under very careful control. We can’t do much around here. The boss has us all on a tight leash.
2. mod. addicted to some drug. Wilmer is on a tight leash. He has to have the stuff regularly.
See also: leash, on, tight
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • be kept on a short 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
"If a dog off leash comes heading your way, try to shoo the dog away and stand between the dog and your cat," Dr.
The best candidate for leashed walks: a bold, curious cat who likes to explore drawers and isn't content to sit and purr will enjoy a daily outing
Unlike compulsory leash laws elsewhere, where all dogs must be kept on leash in public places or are banned altogether, this new law only applies if your dog is deemed to be out of control or acting in a threatening or dangerous manner.
New rules to control dogs
According to Kenu its iPhone and iPod leash is specifically designed for skiing and snowboarding but is also suitable for everyday use.
iPhone and iPod security leash developed by new company Kenu
The European Eagle owl escaped from a garden in Buckfast Close, Bromsgrove, after the knot securing its leash to a post came undone.
Missing owl makes a real flap
At the end of the leash is a rubber ball with a straw-size hole in it.
No lost straws, ever
Even if they are removed from their kennels for examination, these dogs may be so excited and full of pent-up energy that they immediately jump on the prospective adopter and drag him or her about on the leash. Dogs engaging in these behaviors are not likely to be adopted, and therefore become likely candidates for disposal.
Teaching and learning operant principles in animal shelters: perspectives from faculty, students, and shelter staff
3 2005 snow globe; 4 Broadway Bares 15: Rxxx 2005-2006 calendar; 5 dog collars and leashes; and "Make a Difference" wristbands for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Charitable: movie books, iPod accessories, and fun ways to support your favorite charities--they're all here
In addition to attracting law enforcement buyers, you can market the Pistol Leash to other customers, since the product works well with flashlights, knives, radios, GPS units, etc.
Smart product: a lanyard that works!
If it starts out on any direction of its own, it will feel the yank on the leash.
You Say: Bite back
Of course, for more than a decade prior to his 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Hussein was "on a leash" of sorts as a favored client of Washington (and occasionally Moscow as well).
Ba'athists back in Iraq
"I feel great though and if the physio would let me off the leash to start running I'd be fit within a couple of weeks.
Football: CROCK STU STRUGGLING
After a wipe-out (a spill), Blocker's leash (an ankle band connected to the surfboard) hooked onto the reef and held him under.
Point break: Rick Blocker rides the waves. (Personal Passions)
* Leash your board: Surfboards and bodyboards should be used only with a leash.
Have a Good Beach Day
* If you run at night with your dog, add reflective material to his leash and collar.
4-legged runners
It's all about pedigree, and nothing says it better than an Hermes collar and leash (or perhaps a wardrobe of leashes and collars).
DOG DAYS