bound hand and foot

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Idioms and Phrases

Wholly obligated, unable to free oneself. For example, These rules have us bound hand and foot; we can't even discuss the matter . This term transfers the literal meaning, having one's hands and feet tied and therefore unable to move, to legal, moral, or social obligations. The expression dates from the 10th century a.d.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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