'To keep a person on a short leash' definitions:

Definition of 'To keep a person on a short leash'

From: GCIDE
  • Leash \Leash\ (l[=e]sh), n. [OE. lese, lees, leece, OF. lesse, F. laisse, LL. laxa, fr. L. laxus loose. See Lax.]
  • 1. A thong of leather, or a long cord, by which a person may hold or restrain an animal, such as a falconer holding his hawk, or a courser his dog. For dogs and cats, the leash is commonly attached to a collar around the neck of the animal. [1913 Webster]
  • Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Sporting) A brace and a half; a tierce; three; three creatures of any kind, especially greyhounds, foxes, bucks, and hares; hence, the number three in general. [1913 Webster]
  • [I] kept my chamber a leash of days. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
  • Then were I wealthier than a leash of kings. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Weaving) A string with a loop at the end for lifting warp threads, in a loom. [1913 Webster]
  • To keep (a person) on a short leash to maintain close control over the activities of (a person). [PJC]