Have (someone) by the short hairs British informal verb phrase
"Have" can be replaced by "get".
To have someone in a difficult situation in which you have complete power over them
I had Jay by the short hairs because I knew what he had done.
He had us by the short hairs when he found out about our little secret.
I cannot do anything against him because he has my by the short hairs.
The verb "catch" should be conjugated according to its tense.
At a much higher level than other people or things
Peter is head and shoulders above the other contestants in the competition.