Phrase guide

wrap around one's little finger

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To successfully control or exert influence over, especially for a sustained period of time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • She has all of them wrapped around her little finger. They'd do anything for her.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: play someone like a violin, turn around one's finger, twist around one's little finger, wind around one's little finger

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: մատի վրա խաղացնել (mati vra xaġacʻnel) — to successfully control or influence
  • Chinese Mandarin: 玩弄於股掌之間 /玩弄于股掌之间 (wánnòng yú gǔzhǎng zhījiān) — to successfully control or influence
  • Czech: omotat si kolem prstu — to successfully control or influence
  • Dutch: om zijn/haar vinger winden — to successfully control or influence
  • Finnish: kietoa pikkusormensa ympärille — to successfully control or influence
  • French: mener quelqu'un par le bout du nez — to successfully control or influence
  • German: um den Finger wickeln — to successfully control or influence
  • German: um den kleinen Finger wickeln — to successfully control or influence
  • Hungarian: ujja köré csavar — to successfully control or influence
  • Hungarian: kisujja köré csavar — to successfully control or influence
  • Italian: avere qualcuno in pugno — to successfully control or influence
  • Polish: owijać sobie wokół palca — to successfully control or influence
  • Polish: owinąć sobie wokół palca — to successfully control or influence
  • Portuguese: encoleirar — to successfully control or influence
  • Russian: вить верёвки (vitʹ verjóvki) — to successfully control or influence
  • Spanish: tener a alguien comiendo de la mano — to successfully control or influence
  • Swedish: linda runt sitt finger — to successfully control or influence
  • Swedish: linda kring sitt finger — to successfully control or influence