having someone by the balls

Verb

have someone by the balls (third-person singular simple present has someone by the balls, present participle having someone by the balls, simple past and past participle had someone by the balls)

1. (idiomatic, slang, vulgar) To exercise total control over someone; to be in a position to threaten or extort someone.
   • You think I wouldn't have him
     Unless I could have him by the balls
     You think I just dish it out
     You don't think I take it at all1992, Ani DiFranco, I'm No Heroine

   Synonyms:

   have someone by the short hairs § Synonyms