in pugno

in pugno

Italian

Etymology

Literally, "in fist."

Prepositional phrase

in pugno

1. in hand
   1. held firmly in one's grasp

      avere la spada in pugno ― to have the sword in one's grasp

   2. (idiomatic) under one's full mastery, influence, or control; under control

      Synonym: in mano

      avere in pugno la situazione ― to have the situation under control

      tenere qualcuno in pugno ― to have someone in the palm of one's hand (literally, “keep someone under one's control”)