put the arm on (one)

put the arm on (one)

To ask or pressure one for a loan or donation of money. Jane's good-for-nothing brother always comes skulking around our place every couple of weeks to put the arm on us for a few bucks. The alumni association of my old university puts the arm on me once or twice a year looking for a donation.See also: arm, on, put

put the arm on someone

Fig. to apply pressure to someone. John's been putting the arm on Mary to get her to go out with him. John has been putting the arm on Bill to get him to cooperate.See also: arm, on, put

put the arm on

Also, put the bite or touch on . Ask for or demand money, as in He's the youngest and he's always putting the arm on Dad. The first of these slangy usages, first recorded in 1939, alludes to a robber assaulting someone by yoking his arm around the victim's throat. The bite variant, first recorded in 1919, similarly alludes to a violent attack. The last, touch, has been slang for "theft" since the mid-1800s. See also: arm, on, put

put the arm on someone

AMERICANIf you put the arm on someone, you try to force them to do what you want. I know you got Cotter to put the arm on Lillian. Women like you are not only writing checks, but you're putting the arm on other people to give as well.See also: arm, on, put, someone

put the arm on

attempt to force or coerce someone to do something. North American informalSee also: arm, on, put

put the ˈarm/ˈbite on somebody

(American English, informal) ask somebody for something, especially money: To pay for the tax reductions, the government will put the bite on smokers and motorists.See also: arm, bite, on, put, somebody

put the arm on someone

1. tv. to demand something of someone, especially money. I know Tom wants some money. He put the arm on me, but I said no. 2. tv. to arrest someone. (Underworld.) They put the arm on Bart for pushing pills. See also: arm, on, put, someone