under one's thumb
Completely under control
Under one's thumb describes being controlled or dominated by someone: He's completely under her thumb.
The image suggests something small enough to be pressed down and held in place by a thumb—helpless, subordinate.
The phrase often implies the control is excessive or demeaning: She keeps her employees under her thumb.
- puppetControlled performing figure
- yes manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- henpeckedControlled through persistent nagging
domination · dependency · helplessness · compliance · pushover · doormat · manipulation · beck and call · authority · submission · whipped · iron fist · whip hand · control freak · power trip · powerlessness · servitude · influence
under one's thumbfree
Without payment or restriction
independent · autonomous · liberated · self-governing · free as a bird
under one's thumbin control
Managing with authority
in charge · calling the shots · in the driver's seat · holding the reins · wearing the pants