putty in someone's hands
Completely under control
To be putty in someone's hands is to be easily shaped or controlled by them, like the soft moldable substance.
The phrase suggests pliability without resistance—someone so susceptible to another's influence that they can be manipulated at will: She had him wrapped around her finger; he was putty in her hands.
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- naivetyInnocent lack of experience
- gullibilityEase of being deceived
- easy markReadily deceived person
falling for it · soft touch · manipulation · trust · infatuation · insecurity · susceptibility · brainwashing · influence · dominance · devotion · blind devotion · submission · dependence · malleable · exploitation · pliable · compliance
putty in someone's handsimmovable
Incapable of being shifted
unswayable · unyielding · resistant · unbending · obstinate
putty in someone's handsstrong-willed
Unyielding in purpose
iron-willed · steely · resolute · firm · steadfast
putty in someone's handsself-directed
Managing oneself without supervision
autonomous · free-thinking · nobody's fool · self-possessed · uncontrollable