by the short hairs Definition

hair
noun

1. Each of many long thread-like structures that grow from follicles beneath the skin of animals.
2. A mass or growth of such strands, especially on a person's head.

Thesaurus: locks, tresses, mane, mop, shock.
3. A fabric made from such strands.
4. bot.
Any thread-like cell growing from the surface of a plant.
5. A hair's-breadth.

Example: she won by a hair
6. A locking spring or other safety mechanism on a firearm.

Derivative: hairless
adj

Derivative: hairlessness
noun

Derivative: hairlike
adj

Derivative: hairy

See separate entry.

Idiom: get in someone's hair

colloq
To annoy them incessantly.
Thesaurus: irritate, annoy, disturb, bother, bug (slang).

Idiom: a hair of the dog (that bit one)

colloq
An alcoholic drink taken as a cure for a hangover.

Idiom: by the short hairs

In a powerless situation or at someone's mercy.

Idiom: keep your hair on!

colloq
Keep calm and don't get angry.

Idiom: let one's hair down

colloq
To enjoy oneself or behave without restraint.

Idiom: make someone's hair curl

colloq
To shock them.

Idiom: make someone's hair stand on end

colloq
To frighten them.
Thesaurus: frighten, terrify, scare, horrify.

Idiom: not turn a hair

To remain calm and show no surprise, anger, etc.

Idiom: split hairs

To make unnecessary petty distinctions or quibbles.
Thesaurus: quibble, cavil, nag, nit-pick, pettifog.

Idiom: tear one's hair out

To show extreme irritation or anxiety.

Idiom: to a hair

Exactly.
Thesaurus: precisely, perfectly, exactly.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon hær.