lead by the nose

lead someone by the nose

to control someone and make them do exactly what you want them to do. They simply didn't know what they were doing and they were led by the nose by a manipulative government. (usually passive)

See also: lead, nose

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lead someone by the nose

to control someone so that they do exactly what you want them to do. He thinks she's perfect, and she leads him around by the nose.

Etymology: based on the way that a cow is sometimes led by rope attached to a ring in its nose

See also: lead, nose