What Does "Have Someone by the Short and Curlies" Mean?
"Have someone by the short and curlies" is an English idiom. It means "to have someone in a vulnerable or powerless position, often due to possessing incriminating information or control over them."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "have someone by the short and curlies" used in a sentence:- The detective had the suspect by the short and curlies, with evidence that could lead to his arrest.
- The manager knew he had the employee by the short hairs after discovering the breach of company policy.
- Blackmailers often attempt to have individuals by the short and curlies by threatening to expose their secrets.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Have Someone by the Short and Curlies" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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