putty in someone's hands

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

Noun

 * 1)  One who is readily manipulated or controlled by another person; a puppet.

Usage notes

 * Sometimes used to describe a submissive male in a relationship with a domineering woman.

Translations

 * French:
 * Hungarian:, úgy táncol, ahogy fütyülnek (neki)
 * Italian:
 * Portuguese: joguete nas mãos de