bind hand and foot
The phrase "bind hand and foot" originates from physical restraint practices and is now commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.
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Definition
B2Physical Restraint
(literal)To physically tie someone's hands and feet together, restricting their movement.
Example
- The captors decided to bind the prisoner hand and foot to prevent any escape attempts.
C1Situational Constraint
(figurative)To limit someone's freedom or ability to act by imposing strict restrictions or constraints.
Example
- The new regulations bind the company hand and foot, making it difficult to innovate.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bind hand and foot":
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