on a string

Under someone's control, influence, or manipulation. She kept teasing him with the possibility of a relationship in order to keep him on a string, convincing him buy her clothes and pay for her rent. The boss really has the new intern on a string. If he so much as coughs, he'll come running into his office to see what he can do for him.

See also: on, string

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*on a string

Fig. under control, as one would control a marionette. (*Typically: get someone ~; have someone ~; keep someone ~.) She keeps him on a string so he won't get involved with other women.

See also: on, string

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

on a string

Under someone's control, as in She'll drop everything whenever Sam asks for something-he's got her on a string. This expression, alluding to pulling an animal on a leash, dates from the late 1500s, when it was put as in a string.

See also: on, string

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

on a string

under your control or influence.

The idea here is of a puppeteer manipulating a puppet by its strings.

See also: on, string

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

have a jab at (someone or something)
cover
grab (someone or something) by the throat
grab someone by the throat
grab someone/something by the throat
get someone's dander up, to
needle
needle (one)
help (someone) along
help along

词组	on a string
释义	on a string on a string Under someone's control, influence, or manipulation. She kept teasing him with the possibility of a relationship in order to keep him on a string, convincing him buy her clothes and pay for her rent. The boss really has the new intern on a string. If he so much as coughs, he'll come running into his office to see what he can do for him. See also: on, string Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. on a string Fig.* under control, as one would control a marionette. (Typically: get* someone ~; have someone ~; keep someone ~.) She keeps him on a string so he won't get involved with other women. See also: on, string McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. on a string Under someone's control, as in She'll drop everything whenever Sam asks for something-he's got her on a string. This expression, alluding to pulling an animal on a leash, dates from the late 1500s, when it was put as in a string. See also: on, string The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. on a string under your control or influence. The idea here is of a puppeteer manipulating a puppet by its strings. See also: on, string Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: have a jab at (someone or something) cover grab (someone or something) by the throat grab someone by the throat grab someone/something by the throat get someone's dander up, to needle needle (one) help (someone) along help along
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