she has him eating out of her hand

[alpacinou]

Hello.

I learned a new idiom: to have someone eat out of your hand

Can I use it in the context of talking about a husband and a wife?

Are these okay?

-She has her husband eating out of her hand.
-He has his wife eating out of his hand.

 

[GoesStation]

They're both possible provided you talk about recent activities that have led to the happy condition.

 

[alpacinou]

They're both possible provided you talk about recent activities that have led to the happy condition.

Does this expression have a negative connotation? I mean if you want to make fun of a friend of yours who is subservient to his wife, would you say that?

happy condition:-D

 

[Rover_KE]

Does this expression have a negative connotation? I mean if you want to make fun of a friend of yours who is subservient to his wife, would you say that?

No—that's when you could say 'She has him under her thumb'.

 

[alpacinou]

No—that's when you could say 'She has him under her thumb'.

What is the difference between "having someone under your thumb" and "having someone eat out of your hand" ?

1. His wife has him eating out her hand.
2. His wife has him under her thumb

What is the difference between 1 and 2 ?

 

[GoesStation]

What is the difference between "having someone under your thumb" and "having someone eat out of your hand" ?

1. His wife has him eating out her hand.
2. His wife has him under her thumb

What is the difference between 1 and 2?

Number 2 means she's exerting an oppressive level of control. Psychologically speaking, number 1 uses positive reinforcement and number 2 uses negative reinforcement.

 

[Tdol]

They don't have to be mutually exclusive- I think Meghan probably does both with ex-Prince Harry. :up: