under the thumb of

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the thumb of" is a valid phrase in written English and it can be used to describe a situation in which someone is being controlled or dominated by another person.
Example: She felt like she was living under the thumb of her domineering mother.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have been under the thumb of a single party".

The New York Times

"Producers are under the thumb of these companies," she says.

The Guardian - Music

Newspapers and television are under the thumb of government.

The Economist

By his own admission, he doesn't work well under the thumb of insensitive overseers.

The Guardian - Film

The legal system rests under the thumb of Beijing; public discussion is largely curated by censors.

The New Yorker

To many Muslims, it seemed that Kashmir had fallen under the thumb of the infidel.

The New York Times - Magazine

He wanted to get from under the thumb of Mike Ashley.

The Guardian - Business

Instead Jake squirms under the thumb of a schemer who is more bully than adviser.

The New York Times

But I wouldn't like to do a musical under the thumb of Cameron Mackintosh.

The Guardian

His party was under the thumb of the Social Democrats in their 13-year coalition.

The Guardian

The Apollo astronauts were able to hide the Earth under the thumb of their glove.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the thumb of" to vividly describe situations where someone's autonomy is significantly curtailed by another's influence or power.

Common error

Avoid using "under the thumb of" for situations involving temporary influence or minor disagreements. This phrase is best suited for describing sustained and significant control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the thumb of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adjective to describe a noun, indicating that the noun is subject to the control or domination of someone or something else. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the thumb of" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe a situation where someone is being controlled or dominated. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it's best suited for situations involving significant control rather than minor influence. Alternatives such as "controlled by" or "dominated by" can be used in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

controlled by

Focuses on the action of control, omitting the metaphorical aspect of the original phrase.

dominated by

Highlights the aspect of power imbalance and suppression.

subject to the authority of

Emphasizes the formal aspect of control through established power.

at the mercy of

Indicates a state of vulnerability and dependence on someone's decisions.

subservient to

Highlights a lower status and obedience to another.

beholden to

Suggests a sense of obligation and dependence due to a favor or debt.

in thrall to

Emphasizes a captivating or enchanting form of control.

dependent on

Focuses on the reliance on another party for support or resources.

at the beck and call of

Implies immediate obedience and servitude to someone's commands.

answerable to

Highlights accountability and the need to justify actions to someone in charge.

FAQs

How can I use "under the thumb of" in a sentence?

Use "under the thumb of" to describe situations where someone is heavily controlled or dominated by another person or entity. For example, "The company felt "controlled by" the new regulations".

What are some alternatives to saying "under the thumb of"?

You can use alternatives such as "controlled by", "dominated by", or "subject to the authority of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "under the thumb of" in formal writing?

While "under the thumb of" is widely understood, it's generally more suited for informal or journalistic writing. In formal academic or business contexts, consider using a more direct alternative like "controlled by" or "subject to the authority of".

What's the difference between "under the thumb of" and "influenced by"?

"Under the thumb of" implies a strong degree of control or domination, while "influenced by" suggests a more subtle or persuasive effect. Being "under the thumb of" someone means having limited autonomy, whereas being influenced simply means being affected by someone's ideas or actions.