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3. under thumb

under thumb

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*under someone's thumb

Fig. under someone's control and management. (*Typically: get someone ~; have someone ~; hold someone ~; keep someone ~.) You can't keep your kids under your thumb all their lives. I don't want to have these people under my thumb. I'm not the manager type.

See also: thumb

under somebody's/something's thumb

also under the thumb of somebody/something

completely controlled by someone or something That girl is totally under her mother's thumb.

See also: thumb

under (someone's) thumb

Under the control of someone; subordinate to.

See also: thumb