hen pecked
Cowed by partner
Henpecked describes a man dominated or nagged by his wife or female partner.
The image comes from hens pecking at roosters in the barnyard.
A henpecked husband defers constantly to his wife's demands, unable or unwilling to assert himself: He's so henpecked he has to ask permission to go fishing with the guys.
The term is old-fashioned and carries mild humor.
Also spelled hen-pecked.
- naggedComplained repeatedly at someone
- dominatedControlled or overpowered
- browbeatenSubdued by persistent pressure
- henpeckedControlled through persistent nagging
- pushed aroundCoerced through intimidation
oppressed · overbearing · submissive · controlled · harassed · whipped · ball and chain · dictated · yes man · passivity · deference · self-doubt · compliance · imbalance · cuckolded · idiom · subjugated · satire
- bird expressionsearly bird, birdbrain, bird brain, lovebirds, jailbird
- farm idiomsmake hay while the sun shines, cream of the crop, put the cart before the horse, till the cows come home, buy the farm
hen peckeddomineering
Aggressively asserting control
dominant · in charge · wearing the pants · head of household · controlling
hen peckedalpha male
Dominant group leader
assertive · dominant · strong-willed · macho · self-assured
hen, peck, hens, pecks, pecked, pecking, pecker, peckers, henpeck