Have somebody in the palm of your hand
phrase
To have control or influence over someone.
The charismatic speaker had the audience in the palm of his hand.
Often appears as...
- keep someone in the palm of your hand
- held us in the palm of her hand
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To have control or influence over someone.
The charismatic speaker had the audience in the palm of his hand.
Often appears as...
- keep someone in the palm of your hand
- held us in the palm of her hand
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
This phrase suggests a significant power imbalance, where one person has a great deal of control over someone else.
She had her opponent in the palm of her hand throughout the debate.
Pro Tip 2/3Captivated Audience
Often used to indicate rapt attention or fascination, as when someone captivates an audience completely.
With his storytelling, the grandfather had the children in the palm of his hand.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Influence
The phrase can imply that the person is being influenced emotionally, not just logically or by authority.
With just a few words, she had him in the palm of her hand, ready to help her.
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