taking an object hostage
Jocular coinage modeled on 人質 (hostage), treating an object as if it were a hostage. Used humorously when someone withholds or seizes an item to gain leverage.
See also: 人質
They took my smartphone as a hostage, so I had no choice but to do what they said.
He held my wallet hostage and wouldn't give it back until I apologized.
A jocular blend of モノ (thing) and 人質 (hostage), treating an object as if it were a hostage.