a one-way street

a one-way street

A situation, agreement, or relationship in which only one side or party is benefitting or has any power, influence, or control. You can't always decide what we're going to do next, Mary. This relationship is not just a one-way street, you know. I'm starting to think that this partnership with the government is a one-way street. They keep putting demands on us, but they've given us very little support in return.
See also: street
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be a one-way street
  • under the influence
  • backstairs influence
  • on a string
  • control over
  • control over (someone or something)
  • lose (one's) hold over (someone or something)
  • them and us
  • under the influence of alcohol
  • have/keep somebody on a string
References in periodicals archive
Unfortunately, the synthetic equity rules are a one-way street. If synthetic equity causes a person to be disqualified, it will be counted.