tie one's hands
tie (one's) hands
1. Literally, to bind one at the hands, typically with rope or something similar. Tie his hands so he can't escape!
2. By extension, to prevent one from behaving or acting in a certain way. I really wish I could help you get a refund, but the company's strict returns policy has tied my hands. If the government would stop tying our hands with these burdensome regulations, our economy would actually have a chance to flourish for once!
See also: hand, tie
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
tie one's hands
Prevent one from acting, as in I can't help you this time; my hands are tied by the club's rules. This metaphoric term transfers physical bondage to other kinds of constraint. It was first recorded in 1642.
See also: hand, tie
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- tie (one's) hands
- tie hands
- tie somebody's hands
- only
- join hands
- have (one's) hands on (something)
- put (one's) hands up
- wash (one's) hands
- wash your hands
- out of your hands