putty in someone's hands
A person who is easily influenced or malleable, as in Dean adored his little granddaughter; he was putty in her hands. This metaphoric term, first recorded in 1924, transfers the malleable quality of putty to human behavior. Also see twist around one's finger.
Words nearby putty in someone's hands
puttier,
putting green,
puttnam,
putto,
putty,
putty in someone's hands,
putty knife,
putty powder,
puttyroot,
putumayo,
putz