Fig.: to have full control over someone; to order someone around

Unfortunately many politicians think they can easily lead people around by the nose

Purtroppo molti uomini politici pensano di poter menare facilmente la gente per il naso

Ted is such a gullible guy he can easily be lead by the nose

Ted è talmente un credulone che si lascia menare per il naso da chicchessia

Expression already used by the Greeks and the Latins, it is what one does to lead various animals, including cattle and bears, by means of a rope tied to a ring passing through the septum of the animal's nose