twist someone's 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

Coerce or persuade someone, as in If you twist my arm I'll stay for another drink, or She didn't really want to go to the theater but he twisted her arm. Originally alluding to physical coercion, this term is now generally used more loosely and often jocularly. [Mid-1900s]
See also: arm, twist
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

twist someone's arm

If you twist someone's arm, you try hard to persuade them to do something. I had to twist their arm to get them to start working with me, but once they did, it went well from there. I didn't twist your arm to make you come. You wanted to because you sensed a story. Note: You can also talk about arm-twisting. He borrowed 70 per cent of the money from his banks, after some arm-twisting.
See also: arm, twist
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

twist someone's arm

persuade someone to do something that they are or are thought to be reluctant to do. informal
See also: arm, twist
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • twist arm
  • twist somebody'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
However, you never figured it would be so easy to twist someone's arm today.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
For weekly readings call 0903 658 2004 (75p/min + access charge) TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21 !may have to punch in some numbers and do ' it would be so easy to twist someone's arm today.
YOUR HOROSCOPE WITH
Asked what would happen if the security results were positive but one player still did not want to go, Morris replied: "One thing we don't want to do is twist someone's arm up their back.
Cricket: Pietersen is expecting India tour to go ahead
Asked what would happen if the security results were positive, but one player still did not want to go, Morris replied: "One thing we don't want to do is twist someone's arm up their back.
Pietersen is confident of England's return to India
And you can totally understand why he would do it and he has a young family so you wouldn't try and twist someone's arm.
I WASN'T READY TO SEE EDDIE CALL TIME