force somebody's hand

force (one's) hand

To push one to do something that one is not inclined to do otherwise. (The phrase alludes to a hand of playing cards.) Dave still hasn't decided where he wants to go to dinner, so I'm going to force his hand—I need to make reservations as soon as possible! I was hoping to play golf today, but the storm forced my hand, so I stayed home instead. The president is trying to force Congress's hand by threatening a veto.
See also: force, hand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

force somebody’s ˈhand

force somebody to do something differently or sooner than planned: By applying pressure to get the law changed, the opposition party wants to force the government’s hand.
See also: force, hand
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • (one) could use (something)
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
  • cooking for one
  • 1FTR
References in periodicals archive
This is something that I can make my own opportunity and kind of force somebody's hand.
Asadoorian still well-armed