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eat out of someone's hand

Meaning: To be submissive; to have someone eating out of one's hand means to get someone to be submissive.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The expression originates from the idea that an animal that will eat out of one's hand is very tame. It connotes an unhealthy submissiveness.

More idioms — Body & Senses

  • fight tooth and nail — To fight fiercely; to fight with everything you have.
  • fine-tooth comb — An imaginary device one uses to look for something very carefully.
  • get a leg up — To make a good start on some activity or project.
  • get it in the neck — To receive something unpleasant, such as criticism or punishment.
  • get something off one's chest — To disclose or talk about something that is bothering or worrying one.
  • get something on the nose — To do or understand something perfectly.

More English idioms

  • get something through one's head — To understand something that is difficult, especially because it is a shock, unwanted, or…
  • get someone the cold shoulder — To ignore someone intentionally.
  • get someone a hand — To help someone.
  • give one's right arm to do something — To want something very much.
  • give someone the shirt off one's back — To give (figuratively) someone all one's possessions; to be very generous.
  • gray matter — Brain tissue and, by extension, intelligence.

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