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.

See also: kept, leash, on, short

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.