be in (one's) pocket

be in (one's) pocket

To be under one's control or influence, especially in an underhanded or unethical way, such as by bribery or extortion. It's pretty obvious that our national legislators are all in the corporate bigwigs' pockets! The principal has been in the superintendent's pocket ever since he started the job. You'll never get justice for the crime—half the police force is in the mafia's pocket.

See also: pocket

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.