Slang definitions & phrases for have someone by the balls
have someone by the balls
verb phrase
To have someone in a very perilous and painful position; have a firm grip on someone; HAVE someone BY THE SHORT HAIRS: I didn't want to do it, but they had me by the balls(1940s+)
Idioms and Phrases with have someone by the balls
have someone by the balls
Have someone at one's mercy, as in You have to pay up—they've got you by the balls. The balls here allude to the male genitals. [ ; early 1900s ]