John knows Lisa's buttons and knows exactly how to manipulate and control her

[alpacinou]

I want to say someone knows 'how to control another person'. Can I use the expression 'know someone's buttons'?

Is this okay?

John knows Lisa's buttons and knows exactly how to manipulate and control her and get what he wants out of her.

 

[emsr2d2]

No. We use "push someone's buttons" but, outside of that, we don't refer to a person's buttons.

I find "how to manipulate and control her and get what he wants out of her" extremely tautologous.

 

[Tarheel]

John knows Lisa's buttons and knows exactly how to manipulate and control her and get what he wants out of her.

That's saying the same thing three times!