ball and chain

noun

1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg.
2. a burdensome restraint:

   The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress.

3. Facetious Slang: Often Offensive. a person's spouse or romantic partner, especially a female.

ball and chain

noun

1. (formerly) a heavy iron ball attached to a chain and fastened to a prisoner
2. a heavy restraint
3. slang.
   a wife

Sensitive Note

In the meaning “romantic partner,” this term is consciously used for humorous or playful effect. But it is often perceived as insulting, implying that the partner is a burden or restriction on the other partner.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ball and chain¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Idioms and Phrases

A burden and restraint, as in Karen regarded her job as a ball and chain, but she needed the money . The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's leg. Later it was transferred to other kinds of restraining burden.

Example Sentences

The former prime minister trades bunga-bunga for ball-and-chain as he announces engagement to 27-year-old Francesca Pascale.

From The Daily Beast

What a ghastly prison marriage was, he thought, a thing as hostile to the free human spirit as an iron ball-and-chain.

From Project Gutenberg

Yesterday the President remitted the sentence of a poor lad, sentenced to ball-and-chain for six months, for cowardice, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

I say your old rag of a Constitution is a ball-and-chain on your national leg.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• burden
• encumbrance
• hindrance
• impediment
• restriction