have (one) cold

have (one) cold

To have one utterly under control, to the extent that their actions can be dictated. Please don't report me to the headmaster. You have me cold! Once the gangsters were able to blackmail Susan, they had her cold.

See also: cold, have

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

have someone cold

have someone at your mercy. US informal

1988 Rodney Hall Kisses of the Enemy He waited in his office for news of violence, knowing that then he would have the troublemakers cold.

See also: cold, have, someone

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017