under someone’s thumb
under someone’s thumb (idiom)
/ˈʌndər ˈsʌmwʌnz θʌm/
Meaning
- Completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command.
- Under someone’s control or influence.
- So strongly influenced by someone that they control you completely.
Example Sentences
- Despite his public bravado, he was under his manager’s thumb when it came to career decisions.
- She felt under her friend’s thumb, always agreeing to plans she didn’t enjoy.
- The dictator kept the media under his thumb, controlling all information released.
- Employees were under the CEO’s thumb, hesitant to voice differing opinions.
- He realized he was under his partner’s thumb, making all sacrifices in the relationship.
Origin and History
The phrase “under someone’s thumb” is an idiom denoting complete control or dominance by one person over another. Its origins, while not definitively documented, can be traced back several centuries, with various theories attempting to explain its inception.
Earliest Recorded Usage
The earliest known appearance of the phrase in print dates to the early 18th century. In “The Life and Posthumous Works of Arthur Maynwaring” (1715), the English politician Arthur Maynwaring used the expression, indicating its usage during that period.
Theories on Origin
Literal Interpretation
One straightforward theory suggests that the phrase originates from the physical act of pressing or holding something down with one’s thumb, symbolizing control or dominance. This imagery aligns with the idiom’s meaning, where the dominant individual metaphorically “presses down” on the subordinate.
Falconry Connection
Another theory proposes a link to falconry practices. Falconers would control birds by securing them under their thumb, symbolizing dominance over the bird. However, there is no substantial evidence connecting this practice to the idiom’s origin.
Measurement Practices
Some suggest the phrase relates to historical measurement methods where the thumb served as a unit of measure, implying control over quantities. Yet, this connection appears tenuous concerning the idiom’s context.
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