the short-and-curlies

the short-and-curlies
n pl
British
the pubic hair(s). The expressions 'got/ grabbed/caught by the short-and-curl-ies', meaning to be rendered helpless or vulnerable, are common vulgarisms.

Contemporary slang . 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • have someone by the short and curlies — have (someone) by the short and curlies very informal, very informal to have complete power over someone. They ve got us by the short and curlies. We have no choice but to agree …   New idioms dictionary

  • have by the short and curlies — have (someone) by the short and curlies very informal, very informal to have complete power over someone. They ve got us by the short and curlies. We have no choice but to agree …   New idioms dictionary

  • by the short and curlies — by the short hairs or (informal) by the short and curlies In a powerless position, at someone s mercy • • • Main Entry: ↑hair …   Useful english dictionary

  • get (or have) someone by the short and curlies — informal have complete control of a person. → short …   English new terms dictionary

  • get by the short and curlies — ► get (or have) by the short and curlies informal have complete control of. Main Entry: ↑short …   English terms dictionary

  • have by the short and curlies — ► get (or have) by the short and curlies informal have complete control of. Main Entry: ↑short …   English terms dictionary

  • have someone by the short and curlies — (vulgar slang) To have someone over a barrel, at one s mercy, in a position difficult to wriggle out of • • • Main Entry: ↑short …   Useful english dictionary

  • have someone by the short and curlies — Vrb phrs. To have complete power over someone. See short and curlies …   English slang and colloquialisms

  • caught by the short and curlies — Meaning Held fast by an opponent, in a position one can t easily escape from. Origin The allusion is to being held by the short and curly pubic hairs …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • short and curlies — Noun. Basically the term refers to pubic hairs, however it is used figuratively in having got someone by the short and curlies  having complete power over someone. Orig military use. 1930s …   English slang and colloquialisms

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