🌀 Wrapped Around My Finger: Exerting Control Through Language 🤝
To Exert a Strong Influence or Complete Control (on or over someone)
A hyperbole dating from the nineteenth century, exemplified by, “She had already turned that functionary around her finger,” from J. L. Motley’s Rise of the Dutch Republic (1855). Think of this as the more polished version of today’s “wrapped around my finger.”
Similar Terms & Expressions
- To Twist Someone’s Arm: Employing rigorous persuasion.
- Pulling the Strings: Exercising control in a puppet-like fashion.
- Calling the Shots: Directing or making the important decisions.
- Holding Sway: Exercising dominance or influence.
Literature, Songs, & Movies:
- Literature: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Elizabeth Bennet certainly knows how to have Mr. Darcy wrapped around her finger.
- Songs: “Wrapped Around Your Finger” by The Police.
- Movies: My Fair Lady - Eliza Doolittle manages to influence Professor Henry Higgins profoundly.
Related Idioms & Proverbs:
- Cat’s Paw: Someone used by another to accomplish their purposes.
- Under One’s Thumb: Completely under the control or influence of someone.
- Puppet on a String: Easily manipulated by someone else.
Quotes:
- “You twisted my arm to get me here, but I suppose I was curious anyway.” - A humorous way to give in reluctantly.
- “The puppet thinks it’s alive until the strings are cut.” - Proverb
Book Recommendation:
“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini - A deep dive into the mechanisms of influence and persuasion.
Further Insight:
Understanding these idioms enriches your linguistic arsenal and highlights the subtle complexities of human interaction. Notice how nuances in expression can modify the perceived intensity of control and influence.
Remember as you meander through the maze of language, every idiom and phrase you master enriches your narrative toolbox. Opt for colorful expressions that dot your linguistic landscape; let them be the sunflowers in the field of your speech to brighten up every conversation. 🌻
Wishing you sway in the art of influence and beyond,
Samantha Quibble
