putty in someone's hands

A metaphor likening the easy malleability of putty to the easy manipulability of the person. First use appears c. 1867.

• "Why, Marseny, here, he wan't no more than so much putty in her hands."
• "So long as she behaves in a way to keep his love and respect he's putty in her hands."
• "[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."
• "Well, your looks had me putty in your hand now / But I took just as much as I can stand now"

• putty in someone's fingers

• pushover
• wimp
• wuss
• eat out of someone's hand
• wrap around one's little finger