/aˈvere kwalˈkuno in ˈpuɲɲo/ lit. ‘to have someone in your fist’
Italian idiom, everyday. To have someone so charmed or devoted that they’ll do whatever you want.
Draft Not yet checked by a native Italian speaker.
How do people use Avere qualcuno in pugno
?
Everyday Italian, said of a boss, a partner, a blackmailer or a child who has the grandparents wrapped up. Put the person as a pronoun before the verb: “ti ha in pugno”, “mi tiene in pugno”. It also works with situations and outcomes: “avere la vittoria in pugno” means the win is in the bag.
Also said tenere qualcuno in pugno
Avere qualcuno in pugno
in real sentences
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Mi tiene in pugno.
He has me in the palm of his hand.
Tatoeba, sentence by Nuel, translation by Nuel, CC BY 2.0 FR
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Lui pensava di averti veramente in pugno.
He thought he really had you in the palm of his hand.
Tatoeba, sentence by Guybrush88, CC BY 2.0 FR
Where does Avere qualcuno in pugno
come from?
Treccani lists “tenere in pugno” first in its literal sense, gripping a stick or a knife in your fist, and then figuratively for having someone at your disposal to do with as you please. English Wiktionary gives “avere qualcuno in pugno” as the Italian for “wrap someone around your little finger”. We found no date for the figurative use.
Mistakes learners make with Avere qualcuno in pugno
Translating the English picture. “Avvolgere qualcuno attorno al mignolo” means nothing to an Italian, and “dare un pugno” (to punch someone) is a different thing altogether, so keep the fist closed with “in pugno”.
Other Italian idioms like Avere qualcuno in pugno
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