twist (one's) arm

twist (one's) arm

To pressure or force one into doing something. Oh, she immediately agreed to come tonight—I didn't even have to twist her arm. They had to twist my arm to convince me to start volunteering, but when I finally did, I realized how much I loved it.See also: arm, twist

twist someone's arm

Fig. to pressure someone. (Fig. on the image of hurting someone until they agree to cooperate.) I had to twist her arm a little, but she agreed. Do I have to twist your arm, or will you cooperate?See also: arm, twist

twist someone's arm

Coerce or persuade someone, as in If you twist my arm I'll stay for another drink, or She didn't really want to go to the theater but he twisted her arm. Originally alluding to physical coercion, this term is now generally used more loosely and often jocularly. [Mid-1900s] See also: arm, twist

twist someone's arm

If you twist someone's arm, you try hard to persuade them to do something. I had to twist their arm to get them to start working with me, but once they did, it went well from there. I didn't twist your arm to make you come. You wanted to because you sensed a story. Note: You can also talk about arm-twisting. He borrowed 70 per cent of the money from his banks, after some arm-twisting.See also: arm, twist

twist someone's arm

persuade someone to do something that they are or are thought to be reluctant to do. informalSee also: arm, twist

ˌtwist somebody’s ˈarm

(informal, often humorous) force or persuade somebody to do something, but not by using physical force: ‘Do you think Jane will lend us her car?’ ‘I think we could probably twist her arm.’See also: arm, twist

twist (someone's) arm

Slang To pressure or coerce: If you twist my arm, I'll stay for a second beer.See also: arm, twist