over a barrel

Idioms and Phrases

In a weak or difficult position, as in Once the competitors found a flaw in our product, they had us over a barrel . This slangy expression, first recorded in 1938, supposedly alludes to reviving a drowning victim by placing the body head down over a barrel and rolling it back and forth, so as to empty the lungs of water. The expression survives, although happily the practice does not.

Example Sentences

It said the "unacceptable outcome" followed a pattern seen at other opencast sites, where councils were "held over a barrel", facing huge costs if companies ultimately decided to walk away.

From BBC

In sum, the deep state and the rules of supply and demand might have him over a barrel on this one.

From Slate

The Freedom Caucus has McCarthy over a barrel.

From Slate

What this week also showed is that politicians who would draw things out have plenty of incentive to do so, particularly when their opponent is over a barrel.

From Washington Post

“Don’t get me wrong, Musk is a thin-skinned erratic hypocrite, but he’s got us over a barrel,” she added, until another social media platform comes along to rival it.

From Washington Post