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putty in someone's hands. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
putty in someone's hands, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
putty in someone's hands in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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putty in someone's hands, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
A metaphor likening the easy malleability of putty to the easy manipulability of the person.
Pronunciation
Noun
putty in someone's hands (uncountable)
- (idiomatic, of a person) One who is readily manipulated or controlled by another person; a puppet.
1894 May 27, Harold Frederic, “Marsena”, in New York Times, retrieved 27 July 2010, page 19:Why, Marseny, here, he wan't no more than so much putty in her hands.
1941 December 11, “Caroline Chatfield Says”, in St. Petersburg Times, retrieved 27 July 2010, page 17:So long as she behaves in a way to keep his love and respect he's putty in her hands.
2007 August 5, Kitty Empire, “Nothing compares 2 Prince”, in guardian.co.uk, retrieved 27 July 2010:[H]e clocks on at 8.30 pm with the opening guitar notes of his most famous song, ‘Purple Rain’. Everyone is instantly putty in his hands.
Usage notes
Synonyms
Translations
a person easily manipulated
See also