IdiomAnimals
English
Englishkeep someone on a short leash
Meaning: To keep someone under close control.
Example: “The new manager keeps his team on a short leash.”
Origin: A dog on a short lead cannot wander. The figurative use is common from the 20th century; British English often says "a tight leash."
Equivalents in other languages
German: bei der Stange halten Literally: To hold by the rod
More English idioms
- not for all the tea in China Under no circumstances.
- shut someone up To force someone to stop talking.
- a pack of lies A story that is entirely untrue.
- keep one's feet on the ground To stay realistic and unaffected by success.
- be pocket change To be a trivial amount of money for the person paying.
- become second nature To become so familiar that one does it without thinking.
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