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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
He has the world by the tail
Please help me. What is the meaning of this sentence: "He has the world by the tail". Thanks.
Top answer
Hi, It means he has complete control. That's the meaning of the idiom, although I don't exactly see how having something by the tail really means you have control. But that's the common meaning.
- Hi, It means he has complete control.
- That's the meaning of the idiom, although I don't exactly see how having something by the tail really means you have control.
- But that's the common meaning.
- Best wishes, Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,
It means he has complete control. That's the meaning of the idiom, although I don't exactly see how having something by the tail really means you have control. But that's the common meaning.
Best wishes, Clive
It means he has complete control. That's the meaning of the idiom, although I don't exactly see how having something by the tail really means you have control. But that's the common meaning.
Best wishes, Clive
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Yes, this is in somewhat of a contradiction with:
tiger by the tail
http://www.answers.com/topic/tiger-by-the-tail
tiger by the tail
http://www.answers.com/topic/tiger-by-the-tail
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Hi,
The only way I can make sense of this is by considering that you have an animal by the tail and are swinging it around your head rapidly. The centrifugal force would prevent the animal from attacking you, and you would thus be in control.
However, when you stop, that's another story, especially with a tiger. The meaning of ' . . .I have a tiger by the tail' is that you are
The only way I can make sense of this is by considering that you have an animal by the tail and are swinging it around your head rapidly. The centrifugal force would prevent the animal from attacking you, and you would thus be in control.
However, when you stop, that's another story, especially with a tiger. The meaning of ' . . .I have a tiger by the tail' is that you are
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Hi,
In what way do you find unsatisfactory the explanations already given in this thread?
Best wishes, Clive
In what way do you find unsatisfactory the explanations already given in this thread?
Best wishes, Clive
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