have someone by the balls

have (one) by the balls

vulgar slang To have complete control or dominance over one. The image is that of someone grasping one's testicles to subdue them. With all that evidence against you, I'd say the police have you by the balls. Sometimes, I think Mark's wife has him by the balls.See also: ball, by, have

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. [ Vulgar slang; early 1900s] See also: ball, by, have, someone