Definition
To have complete control or power over someone, often in a way that is difficult for them to escape.
掌握在手中
Since he has all the dirt on me, he's got me by the short and curlies now.
既然他掌握了我所有的把柄，他現在已經完全控制我了。
The manager had his employees by the short and curlies with the details of those contracts.
經理通過那些合約的細節牢牢掌控了他的員工。
Once you sign the contract, they have you by the short and curlies; there is no escape.
一旦你簽了合約，他們就完全掌控了你，無法逃脫。