put the arm/bite on somebody

put the arm on (one)

To ask or pressure one for a loan or donation of money. Jane's good-for-nothing brother always comes skulking around our place every couple of weeks to put the arm on us for a few bucks. The alumni association of my old university puts the arm on me once or twice a year looking for a donation.

See also: arm, on, put

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

put the ˈarm/ˈbite on somebody

(American English, informal) ask somebody for something, especially money: To pay for the tax reductions, the government will put the bite on smokers and motorists.

See also: arm, bite, on, put, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017