get by the balls

English

Etymology

See balls (“testicles”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

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Verb

get (someone) by the balls

1. (slang, vulgar) To have complete control over someone, especially of a woman abusing a man's infatuation with her.

   Too bad she's got you by the balls.

   (Rolling Stones, Short And Curlies)

   If you’ve got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.

   (Theodore Roosevelt)

Synonyms

• have by the short and curlies

Translations

to have complete controle over someone

• Italian: tenere per le palle
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: держа́ть за я́йца (deržátʹ za jájca)