get hooks in

get (one's) hooks in

To gain control or influence over someone or something, especially with an ulterior motive. Because of my family's fortune, my parents always worry that any girl I date is just trying to get her hooks in. That conniving creep has been trying to get his hooks into my family's company for years. I used to love this franchise up until the Malt Tisney Corporation got their hooks in.

See also: get, hook

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

get one's hooks in(to) someone or something

 and get one's hooks in

Fig. to obtain a strong and possessive hold on someone or something. She just can't wait to get her hooks into him. He finally got in his hooks and guarded her jealously.

See also: get, hook

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.