- someone's hands are tied
- someone cannot do what they want to do because something such as a rule or law prevents it
English dictionary. 2014.
someone's hands are tied
Look at other dictionaries:
someone's hands are tied — (someone s) hands are tied if someone s hands are tied, they are not free to behave in the way that they would like. I d like to raise people s salaries but my hands are tied … New idioms dictionary
someone's hands are tied — someone’s hands are tied phrase someone cannot do what they want to do because something such as a rule or law prevents it Thesaurus: not free or independentsynonym Main entry: hand … Useful english dictionary
hands are tied — (someone s) hands are tied if someone s hands are tied, they are not free to behave in the way that they would like. I d like to raise people s salaries but my hands are tied … New idioms dictionary
hands are tied — (your) hands are tied you are not free to act. Some of my students are failing, but my hands are tied by their parents, who can t admit their kids need extra help. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form something has tied someone s hands: The… … New idioms dictionary
your hands are tied — (your) hands are tied you are not free to act. Some of my students are failing, but my hands are tied by their parents, who can t admit their kids need extra help. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form something has tied someone s hands: The… … New idioms dictionary
hand — hand1 W1S1 [hænd] n ↑finger, ↑fingernail, ↑thumb ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(part of body)¦ 2¦(help)¦ 3¦(control)¦ 4 get out of hand 5 on the other hand 6 hands off 7 in hand … Dictionary of contemporary English
tie — 1 /taI/ verb 1 STRING/ROPE a) (T) to fasten one thing to another with a piece of string, rope etc: tie sth to/behind/onto etc: Tie this label onto your suitcase. | tie sb to sth: They tied him to a lamp post and beat him up. | tie sb s hands/feet … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
hand — hand1 [ hænd ] noun *** ▸ 1 body part at end of arm ▸ 2 help ▸ 3 clapping ▸ 4 part of clock ▸ 5 set of cards you hold ▸ 6 advantages in situation ▸ 7 someone working on farm/ship ▸ 8 handwriting ▸ 9 unit of height of horses ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) count … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
hand */*/*/ — I UK [hænd] / US noun Word forms hand : singular hand plural hands 1) [countable] the part of your body at the end of each arm that you use for picking up and holding things Mrs Bennet put her hands over her ears to shut out the noise. have/hold… … English dictionary
hand — I [[t]hæ̱nd[/t]] NOUN USES AND PHRASES ♦ hands (Please look at category 56 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.) 1) N COUNT Your hands are the parts of your body at the end of your arms. Each hand has four … English dictionary
