have (someone) on the string

have (someone) on the string

To keep someone awaiting a decision. They told me they would call last week! I wonder how long they plan to have me on the string. The airline's had us on the string for hours. I really wish they would just cancel our flight already. The suspect has been in the interrogation room for about 12 hours now. He's clearly not talking, so why do we still have him on the string? Just let him go—for now.

See also: have, on, string

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

have someone on the string

Fig. to have someone waiting for a decision. Sally has John on the string. He has asked her to marry him, but she hasn't replied yet. Yes, it sounds like she has him on the string.

See also: have, on, string

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