Under the thumb is usually used by men when their mates prefer to spend time with their partner or consider their partners needs rather than get smashed at the pub with them .
That's the light hearted side of it. Not the actual side of it where the female partner attempts to isolate the male from other people. It's fairly common. I can say myself I have had more than one medium term relationship where my partner has attempted this, and it's taken me a little to long to recognise the behaviour for what it is.
Not just friends, family, whatever. It's all good until you look around and realise that the only people you socialise with together are those she chooses.
Under the thumb is so unimaginative... all of my married friends refer to their wives as She Who Must Be Obeyed..