PhrasesHub

Under his thumb

    Definitions

      • under someone's control or influence
        Describing a situation where someone is completely controlled or dominated by another person, typically in a negative or oppressive way

      • in a subordinate position
        Referring to being in a position of subordination or being subject to someone else's authority or power

    Examples of Under his thumb

    • Sarah felt like she was truly living under Thomas's thumb. Every decision she made had to be run by him first, and he always seemed to have a say in everything.

      The idiom "under his thumb" refers to a situation where one person has complete control and power over another person's actions and decisions. In this instance, Thomas has a dominant influence over Sarah, making her feel constrained and restricted in her choices. It's as though he's holding her down, like the thumb of a hand holding a button or a switch, preventing her from doing things freely.

    • Sarah felt like she was under her ex-boyfriend's thumb during their entire relationship. Every decision she made, no matter how small, needed his approval. She couldn't shake the feeling that he had complete control over her.

      The idiom "under his thumb" refers to being excessively controlled or dominated by someone else. It suggests that the person being controlled has little to no autonomy in the relationship, and is entirely dependent on the other person's approval. In this example, Sarah's ex-boyfriend's constant need for control over her actions made her feel like she couldn't make decisions without his input.

    • After leaving her abusive husband, Rachel finally felt like she was free from being under his thumb. She no longer had to live in fear of his anger and could finally make decisions for herself.

      This use of the idiom shows how a relationship with excessive control can have serious and detrimental effects on a person's autonomy and independence. Here, Rachel's previous relationship is characterized by her husband's control over her, and her husband's influence made it difficult for her to make decisions for herself. After leaving him, Rachel was finally able to regain her independence and be free from his excessive control or dominance.

    • In the corporate world, some executives exert an excessive amount of control over their subordinates, reducing them to feeling like they're under their thumb. This not only inhibits creativity but also discourages employees from taking initiative.

      In this example, the idiom is used to explain the negative impacts of excessive control, particularly in the context of a professional relationship. The use of "under his thumb" here refers to a boss or executive who exerts an excessive amount of control over their subordinates, leading to reduced creativity and discourages employees from taking initiative.

    • Despite his initial reluctance, Jake eventually gave in to his girlfriend's wishes, afraid that she would put him under her thumb. He didn't want to lose her, and so, he acceded to her demands, terrified that she could become overly controlling.

      Here, the idiom "under her thumb" is used to illustrate a person's fear of excessive control by someone else, particularly in the context of a romantic relationship. This example demonstrates Jake's reluctance to give in to his girlfriend's demands because he is afraid that she might become controlling, indicating that the idiom's connotation of excessive control is associated with negative experiences.

    • She was completely under his thumb, unable to make any decisions without his approval.

      This idiom refers to a situation in which someone, usually a partner or authority figure, has complete control over another person's actions and decisions. "Under his thumb" implies that the other person is totally dependent and submissive to this person's will.

    • The politician had his entire party under his thumb, dictating their every move in order to maintain his grip on power.

      In this example, "under his thumb" is used to describe the politician's authoritative position over his party members, as they are completely subservient to his demands and follow his lead without question.

    • Sarah's boss had her under his thumb, making her work long hours and take on unnecessary tasks just to prove herself.

      This idiom is used to illustrate how Sarah's boss had a tight grip on her job and was imposing unfair demands on her, perhaps even to the point of exploitation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "under his thumb" is used to express the idea of being under someone's control or influence, often in a negative or oppressive manner. It can also imply being in a subordinate position or subject to someone else's authority or power.

    This idiom is commonly used to describe situations where one person has a strong hold over another, dictating their actions or decisions. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts to convey a sense of being dominated or controlled by someone else.

    Overall, the idiom "under his thumb" is a vivid and evocative way to convey the idea of being under someone's control or in a subordinate position.

    Origin of "Under his thumb"

    The origin of the idiom "under his thumb" is believed to come from the image of someone being physically controlled by another person's thumb pressing down on them. This physical gesture symbolizes dominance and control, which has been metaphorically translated into the expression "under his thumb."

    The idiom is thought to have originated in the 17th century and has been used in English language and literature to depict power dynamics and control. It has become a widely recognized phrase to describe situations where one person is subjugated or dominated by another. The vivid imagery of being under someone's thumb has made this idiom a powerful and enduring expression in the English language.