It's not literally about having a wolf by the ears! The phrase is an idiom, and it's meant to evoke the image of someone struggling to control a powerful and dangerous animal.
Think of it like this:
* A wolf is strong and wild, and it would be very difficult to hold onto.
* If you have a wolf by the ears, you're in a precarious situation because it could easily break free.
* Similarly, if you have someone "by the ears," you have a degree of control over them, but they could easily escape your influence.
Here are some examples of how you might use this phrase:
* "The company has the employees by the ears because of the tight job market."
* "The politician is trying to have the public by the ears with their promises."
* "She's got her boss by the ears, because she knows all his secrets."
Remember, the phrase is often used to describe a situation where the person in control is using their power in a manipulative or unfair way.