gain a hold upon

verb

Roget 737: authorize etc. (permit) 760; warrant etc. (right) 924; dictate etc. (order) 741.    be at the head of etc. adj.; hold office, be in office, fill an office; hold master, occupy master, a post master, be master etc. 745.    have the upper hand, get the upper hand, have the whip, get the whip; gain a hold upon, preponderate, dominate, rule the roost; boss [U.S.]; override, overrule, overawe; lord it over, hold in hand, keep under, make a puppet of, lead by the nose, turn round one's little finger, bend to one's will, hold one's own, wear the breeches; have the ball at one's feet, have it all one's own way, have the game in one's own hand, have on the hip, have under one's thumb; be master of the situation; take the lead, play first fiddle, set the fashion; give the law to; carry with a high hand; lay down the law; ride in the whirlwind and direct the storm" [Addison]; rule with a rod of iron etc. (severity) 739.    ... show more

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