put the arm on someone

Slang definitions & phrases for put the arm on someone

put the arm on someone

verb phrase
  1. To detain or arrest, esp by force: It was a signal for the waiter to hustle over and put the arm on the customer who was trying to stiff him
  2. To hit; beat up: in case a tough greengrocer tries to put the arm on you
  3. To ask for a loan; PUT THE BITE ON someone or something: writing a letter to my friend Ted without putting the arm on him for a couple of bucks (1930s+)