on a string

短语

释义与例句

phr.
  1. 1.

    Under one's control or influence.

    The magician had the audience on a string with his fascinating illusions.

  2. 2.

    In a state of great anxiety.

    过时

词源

Imagery of a puppeteer manipulating a marionette by its strings. Compare pull the strings.

来源：wiktionary