Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
be under someone's thumb
idiom
/biː ˈʌndər ˈsʌmwʌnz θʌm/
Definition
To be under someone’s thumb means to be controlled or dominated by someone.
Examples
- After marrying him, she found herself completely under his thumb.
- The employees felt they were under the boss’s thumb, with no room for creativity.
- Once in the new job, he realized he was under the thumb of his micromanaging supervisor.
Meaning
This phrase signifies a situation where a person is dictated to or has little freedom due to another person’s influence or authority.
Synonyms
- controlled
- dominated
- subjugated
- under someone’s control
