to twist somebody’s arms = to make people do something, to persuade so that it is hard to refuse
to have one’s arms twisted
My wife twisted my arm into buying this unnecessary thing.
words get stuck in one’s throat = being unable to speak because of one’s emotional state
I was going to say how sorry I was, but my apology stuck in my throat.
to gain the upper hand = to get into a stronger position so that you can control the situation
Alex Hales and Joe Root led the way for England as they gained the upper hand on day one.
to be stabbed in the back = to be betrayed, to be harmed by someone you trust
He was stabbed in the back by his so-called friends.
to have something to hand = to have something within reach
I can’t help you, I don’t have his number to hand.
