Keep on a short leash

    严格控制     

    A: How is your new boss? I heard she is the daughter of your previous boss.

    B: Well, our previous boss always told us what to do. He kept people on a short leash. His daughter, on the contrary, permits employees to make their own decisions. We all like her a lot.

    Note: "Keeping someone on a short leash" means to have a lot of control over someone's behavior and allow them very little freedom to do what they want. The leash keeps the dog from running away or getting into trouble. By analogy, if someone keeps other people on a leash, they keep them under control. The leash can be long or it can be short. And that corresponds with loose or tight control.