on a short leash

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

constantly supervise and watch over someone; limit or control someone’s ability to move or act freely

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

If your kid is a little ball of energy, as all kids are, you probably want to keep him on a short leash. If you don’t trust your boyfriend, keep him on a short leash. Do you have an employee who wastes a lot of time surfing the internet and chatting to other coworkers? Keep her on a short leash.
To keep someone on a short leash means to constantly watch over someone and restrict his/her behavior. We keep someone on a short leash for a number of reasons: lack of trust, safety (keeping an eye on children), observation or control.
In the example above, Kermit says that he kept Miss Piggy on a short leash because of her tendency to hog the camera, or make sure that she is always on-screen. If Miss Piggy had her way, no one but she would appear in the shows. So, Kermit kept her on a short leash to keep her under control.
Are you on a short leash? Do you have someone on a short leash?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

“If you don’t keep your kid on a short leash he’ll get himself in trouble.”

“After John admitted that he had an affair, his wife kept him on a very short leash.”