have/keep somebody on a string

have (someone) on a string

To have great influence over someone. If you want to have someone on a string, flattery always helps. The performer was electrifying, and he had the entire audience on a string by the end of the show. Because of the debt he owes her, she'll always have him on a string.

See also: have, on, string

keep (one) on a string

To maintain great influence over one. If you want to keep someone on a string, flattery always helps.

See also: keep, on, string

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

have/keep somebody on a ˈstring

make somebody do what you want because you have control over them: Of course, he’s rich and powerful enough to keep several people on a string.

This idiom refers to a puppet (= a model of a person or an animal) that is controlled with strings attached to parts of its body.

See also: have, keep, on, somebody, string

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