Hands are tied

Meaning

The idiom "hands are tied" is used to describe a situation where someone or something is unable to act or make decisions due to external constraints or limitations. It can also indicate that one's actions are predetermined or restricted by circumstances beyond their control.

Usage

• "I feel like my hands are tied in this job. I don't have the freedom to make decisions."
• "The government's policies have left many people feeling like their hands are tied when it comes to economic growth."
• "The company's lack of resources has made it difficult for me to complete my projects on time. It feels like my hands are tied."
• "I feel like I'm constantly playing catch-up with my work. My hands are tied by the demands of my job."
• "The pandemic has left many people feeling like their hands are tied. They're unable to travel or participate in social events as they used to." The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used literally or figuratively, and its meaning may change depending on the situation.

Roots and History

The origin of the phrase "hands are tied" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated from a legal context in the United States. In early American law, a person could be accused of a crime simply because they were at the scene of the crime. This was known as a "stare decisis" case, where the judge would rule based on precedent rather than the evidence presented. In such cases, it was common for the accused to feel like their hands were tied. They were unable to defend themselves due to the lack of evidence or the weight of previous decisions. Over time, the phrase became a metaphor for any situation where one's actions are restricted or limited by external factors.

Synonyms in English

• "bound"
• "constrained"
• "restricted"
• "limited"
• "inhibited"

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "ligado/a" (tied up)
• French: "enchaîné(e)" (chained)
• German: "fesselbar/fesseln" (bindable/to bind)
• Italian: "ligato/a" (tied up)
• Portuguese: "atolado/a" ( tied up)

Similar Idioms

• Hakuna Matata

• hit the nail on the head

• harp on