be kept on a short leash
be kept on a short leash
To be strictly controlled (by someone); to not be allowed very much independence or autonomy. George has been kept on a short leash by his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. Everyone feels like they've been kept on a short leash ever since that new manager took over. I knew Gloria's assistant would be kept on a short leash, that's why I didn't apply for the job!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
References in periodicals archive
For them it went almost without saying that someone would be sent over from Switzerland to assume the presidency of EEI and that the American company would
be kept on a short leash by the home office.
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