under the yoke

under the yoke

Under or at the mercy of an immense and oppressive force, burden, or pressure. Thousands of people are estimated to have lost their lives under the yoke of the brutal dictatorship. Under the yoke of misogyny, racism, and homophobia, a gay woman of color will inevitably face an immense amount of discrimination in our society.
See also: yoke
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • under the yolk
  • yolk
  • yoke around (one's) neck
  • yoke around neck
  • yoke people or things together
  • yoke together
  • place (oneself) at (someone's) mercy
  • have the weight of the world on (one's) shoulders
  • the weight of the world
  • have the cares of the world on (one's) shoulders
References in classic literature
In return, I will offer you in sacrifice a broad-browed heifer of a year old, unbroken, and never yet brought by man under the yoke. I will gild her horns, and will offer her up to you in sacrifice."
Odyssey
From the body of the car there went a pole of silver, on to the end of which she bound the golden yoke, with the bands of gold that were to go under the necks of the horses Then Juno put her steeds under the yoke, eager for battle and the war-cry.
Iliad
Open up, and press flat, pressing the excess under the yoke portion.
The Seminole/Mikasuki plain shirt
most of us choose to live under the yoke of economic oppression."
Live Free and Die of Boredom