Get someone where the hair is short
verb phrase
To have complete control over a person; have a painful advantage: We’ve got them where the hair is short, and they can’t squirm out ( first form 1872+, second 1888+)
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- Get someone wrong
Misunderstand someone, as in I think you got him wrong. This expression is often put as Don’t get me wrong, used to clarify one’s feelings, views, or the like, as in Don’t get me wrong—I’m happy about the outcome. [ ; c. 1900 ] Also see: make no mistake
- Get something across
verb phrase To explain successfully; PUT something ACROSS: He decided to devote all his energy to getting his own platform across [1894+; fr a stage term for success, to get it across the footlights]
- Get something in edgewise
verb phrase To succeed in saying or interjecting something: You can’t even get a ”Yeah, I’m still alive” in edgewise (1824+)
- Get something off the ground
verb phrase To make a successful start: As Wilbur said to Orville, ”You’ll never get it off the ground” (1940s+)
- Get something on someone
Also, have something on someone. Obtain or possess damaging knowledge about someone. For example, They hoped to get something on the candidate, or Once Tom had something on his boss, he knew he would not be pressured again. [ c. 1920 ] Also see: be on to