have/get somebody by the short and curlies (also have/get somebody by the short hairs) British EnglishBrE informal not polite to put someone in a situation in which they are forced to do or accept what you want 强迫某人做,硬逼某人接受I signed the contract – they’ve got me by the short and curlies. 我签了合同,是他们硬逼着我签的。
→ have/get somebody by the short and curlies at short1(13)