under their thumb

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under their thumb" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone has control or power over another person. Example: "The manager kept the team under her thumb, making all the decisions without consulting anyone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The Knicks had the Raptors under their thumb, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Many emerging market governments, worried about the flow of information, keep tech companies under their thumb.

Harvard Business Review

And maybe russia Doesn't have utterly damning info on trump that's keeping him under their thumb.

The Guardian - Music

Above all, the trade unions, riddled with leftists and Soviet sympathisers, seemed to have the nation under their thumb.

The Guardian - Opinion

Watch out for bad neighbours ReprintsMr Yosef rejected the authority of the Ashkenazi rabbis who had sought to bring Sephardi ones under their thumb.

The Economist

Black folks in America are telling one party, 'We don't give a damn about you.' They're telling the other party, 'You've got our vote.' Therefore, you have labeled yourself 'disenfranchised' because one party knows they've got you under their thumb.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

But parents who prefer to keep their children always in sight and under their thumbs should consider what sort of trade-offs are involved in that choice.

The New York Times

This series of reports will describe the businesses they run, the regions they control, and the ministries they keep under their thumbs.

The Guardian

We just might help people find some more balance, pulling them back from the hamster wheels under their thumbs, back to their friends at the dining table.

TechCrunch

That's meant literally, by the way: he and Lepidus (Henry Stram) and the coldly calculating Octavius Caesar Samuel Collingss) have every known empire under their thumbs.

Huffington Post

But there's also the fact that bookstores, small and large, even those that do welcome indie writers, are supplied by those huge, fire-breathing traditional publishers who've long held the world of books under their thumbs and have only, in more recent years, lost ground to the changing tides.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under their thumb", ensure it accurately reflects a power dynamic where one party exerts significant control over another, not merely influence or persuasion.

Common error

Avoid using "under their thumb" when describing situations of mutual agreement or collaboration; it suggests a level of dominance that may not be present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under their thumb" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a predicate adjective following a linking verb (e.g., is, was, are). It describes the state of being controlled or dominated by someone. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under their thumb" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe situations where someone is controlled or dominated by another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific power dynamic you're trying to convey. Alternatives such as "under their control" or "in their grasp" may be more appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to express. When used correctly, "under their thumb" is an effective way to communicate a clear imbalance of power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under their control

Focuses on the aspect of having power to direct or manage something.

in their grasp

Implies possession and a firm hold, often with negative connotations.

at their mercy

Highlights vulnerability and dependence on someone else's actions.

subject to their authority

Emphasizes the legitimacy of power and the obligation to obey.

subservient to them

Suggests a willingness to submit to the wishes or demands of others.

beholden to them

Highlights indebtedness and obligation to someone.

dependent on their will

Stresses the reliance on someone else's desires or decisions.

dominated by them

Focuses on the power dynamic where one party exerts control over another.

at their beck and call

Implies immediate obedience and readiness to fulfill orders.

answerable to them

Stresses the obligation to explain one's actions and decisions to someone.

FAQs

How to use "under their thumb" in a sentence?

Use "under their thumb" to describe a situation where someone is controlled or dominated by another person or group. For example, "The small company was "under the thumb of" a much larger corporation".

What can I say instead of "under their thumb"?

You can use alternatives like "under their control", "in their grasp", or "subject to their authority" depending on the context.

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

While "under their thumb" is widely understood, it can be considered informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "under their control" or a more precise description of the power dynamic.

What does it mean to have someone "under your thumb"?

To have someone "under your thumb" means to have them completely "under your control", often to the point where they have little to no autonomy. It implies a significant power imbalance.