Under your thumb Meaning in English
expression
ˈəndɝ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈθəm
UN-der yor THUHM
ˈʌndɐ/ /jˈɔː/ /θˈʌm
UN-duh yaw THUHM
Definition
If someone is under your thumb, you control them completely and they do what you want.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, idiomatic expression. It's often used in relationships where one person is seen as controlling another. Can have a negative or humorous tone. Common collocations: 'keep someone under your thumb', 'have someone under your thumb'. Not used to describe positive influence.
Spanish: bajo tu control - bajo tu dominioPortuguese (BR): sob o seu controle - sob o seu domínioPortuguese (PT): sob o teu controlo - sob o teu domínioChinese (Simplified): 在你的掌控之下Chinese (Traditional): 在你的掌控之下Hindi: आपके नियंत्रण मेंArabic: تحت سيطرتكBengali: আপনার নিয়ন্ত্রণে - আপনার হাতের মুঠোয়Russian: под чьим-то контролем - под чьим-то каблукомJapanese: 掌中にある - 支配下にあるVietnamese: dưới quyền kiểm soát của ai đó - bị ai đó thao túngKorean: 누구의 손아귀에 있다 - 누구의 지배 아래 있다Turkish: birinin parmağının ucunda - birinin kontrolündeUrdu: کسی کے زیرِ اثر ہونا - مکمل کنٹرول میں ہوناIndonesian: di bawah kendali seseorang - di bawah kekuasaan seseorang
Example Sentences
His boss keeps him under her thumb.
basic
She feels like she is always under her mother's thumb.
basic
They are not under anyone's thumb now.
basic
He's totally under her thumb—he never makes a decision without her.
natural
After moving out, she realized she was finally not under anyone's thumb.
natural
Don't let your fear keep you under your boss's thumb.
natural