Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

get by the balls en · VERB

Pronunciation

(Australia) audio

Etymology

See balls (“testicles”).

Meanings

(slang, vulgar) To have complete control over someone, especially of a woman abusing a man's infatuation with her.
- Too bad she's got you by the balls. 1974, Rolling Stones, Short And Curlies:
- If you’ve got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.
- (Theodore Roosevelt)

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
got by the balls	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	UK	lexicographic
got by the balls	Tense=Past		lexicographic
getting by the balls	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
gets by the balls	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
gotten by the balls	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	US	lexicographic

Synonyms

have by the short and curlies

Translations (2)

ru держа́ть за я́йца (to have complete control over someone) · it tenere per le palle (to have complete control over someone)