have someone on toast

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

have someone on toast (third-person singular simple present has someone on toast, present participle having someone on toast, simple past and past participle had someone on toast)

1. (colloquial, idiomatic) To have somebody in one's power, or in a compromising or helpless position.
   • 2011, Michael Bowen, Service Dress Blues: A Rep & Melissa Pennyworth Mystery, page 102:

     Every crime commentator on cable news will have him on toast.

   • 2013, Gavin Lyall, The Wrong Side of the Sky:

     If he'd waited ten seconds until I was on the lighted porch, he'd have had me on toast.

Synonyms

• See have someone by the short hairs § Synonyms