twist arm

twist (one's) arm

To pressure or force one into doing something. Oh, she immediately agreed to come tonight—I didn't even have to twist her arm. They had to twist my arm to convince me to start volunteering, but when I finally did, I realized how much I loved it.
See also: arm, twist
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

twist someone's arm

Fig. to pressure someone. (Fig. on the image of hurting someone until they agree to cooperate.) I had to twist her arm a little, but she agreed. Do I have to twist your arm, or will you cooperate?
See also: arm, twist
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

twist (someone's) arm

Slang
To pressure or coerce: If you twist my arm, I'll stay for a second beer.
See also: arm, twist
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • twist somebody's arm
  • twist someone’s arm
  • twist someone's arm
  • arm-twister
  • make a long arm for (something)
  • arm-twisting
  • arm in arm
  • stroll
  • arm to the teeth
  • a list as long as your arm
References in periodicals archive
Union support was less crucial to Obama's nomination and his general election victory than it was to any previous Democratic president, which is why he's not obligated to twist arms to pass the bill.
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The president is dispatching his special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell to twist arms and do anything in order to come up with something by the fall.
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MEPs will try to twist arms on the 100% scanning rule that Congress enacted in 2007, which requires all US-bound maritime containers to be scanned before departing the EU, a rule the EU says could cripple trade without enhancing security.
EU/US : PERSUADING CONGRESS TO ABANDON PROTECTIONISM A KEY CHALLENGE
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And the one place where he can still twist arms to his liking is in the hills of Jerusalem and Ramallah.
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Paul Demoga and Ed Madaus formed Wheaton Square Development Co., LLC, to coordinate, promote and hype the endeavor, doing what they do best - persuade, cajole, twist arms and chase down funding sources.
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And she is in an unparalleled position to twist arms, call in favors, offer carrots or brandish sticks.
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24, when about 100 religious and community leaders descended on Parliament Hill to twist arms and bend ears.
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That's what makes it all the more mind-boggling that these individuals would brazenly twist arms to solicit a contingent commission agreement or coerce a carrier to participate in a bid-rigging scheme via e-mail.
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He didn't need to twist arms or facts, everyone in Downing Street and the Joint Intelligence Committee knew what was wanted - a dossier justifying the invasion of Iraq.
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