used to say that someone is unable to act freely because something (such as a rule or law) prevents it. I’d like to help you, but my hands are tied. The judge says her hands are tied because the law requires a harsh sentence in such cases.
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Where does the saying my hands are tied come from?
Origin. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, this idiom was first recorded in print in 1642. It alludes figuratively to having one’s hands physically restrained because they were bound by someone else.
Is my hands are tied an idiom?
Idiom: one’s hands are tied.
What does it mean to say my hands are tight?
phrase. If you say that your hands are tied, you mean that something is preventing you from acting in the way that you want to.
What does it mean when your hands are tied behind your back?
to have a disadvantage which makes it difficult for you to succeed in doing something. The club is having to improve the team with one hand tied behind its back because it has no money to spend on new players. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary.
What is the meaning of the idiom my hands are full?
be very busy
Definition of have one’s hands full
: to be very busy She’ll have her hands full with the new baby.
What is the meaning of the cat is out of the bag?
To disclose a secret
To disclose a secret: “The mayor’s visit was to be kept strictly confidential, but someone must have let the cat out of the bag, because the airport was swarming with reporters.”
What do you mean by tied?
1 : to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie. 2 : to form a knot or bow in. 3 : to bring together firmly : unite They are tied by marriage. 4 : to hold back from freedom of action Obligations tied her down. 5 : to make or have an equal score with in a contest.
What is the meaning of tied up?
tied up; tying up or tieing up; ties up. Definition of tie up (Entry 2 of 2) transitive verb. 1 : to attach, fasten, or bind securely also : to wrap up and fasten. 2a : to connect closely : join tie up the loose ends.
What does it mean when someone says when pigs fly?
that something will never happen
Definition of when pigs fly
—used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.
What does putting your foot in your mouth mean?
embarrassing
Say something foolish, embarrassing, or tactless. For example, Jane put her foot in her mouth when she called him by her first husband’s name. This notion is sometimes put as having foot-in-mouth disease, as in He has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease, always making some tactless remark.
What does sitting on pins and needles mean?
: in a nervous or jumpy state of anticipation.
What does it mean when someone says in a nutshell?
in a very brief statement
in a nutshell. : in a very brief statement.
What to do if your hands are tied behind your back?
If tied behind the back:
If your arms are tied behind your back, first work at bringing your hands in front of you. You’ll first need to sit on the floor. As you lower yourself to your knees, move your hands under and forward of your buttocks.
What does hands in pockets mean in body language?
shyness
Another defensive gesture is placing your hands in your pockets. It indicates powerlessness and shyness.
Do you do something with one hand tied behind your back?
If you have to do something with one hand tied behind your back, you have a disadvantage which makes it difficult for you to succeed. Our officers don’t have enough powers. They are being asked to police our streets with one hand tied behind their back.
What does two strings to one’s bow mean?
British. : to have more than one idea, skill, plan, etc., to use if it is needed That didn’t fix the problem, but I have more than one string to my bow.
What does spilling the beans mean?
Disclose a secret
Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.
What is the meaning of idiom no love lost?
Definition of no love lost
—used to say that people dislike each other They were polite with each other, but it was clear that there was no love lost between them.
What is jumping the gun?
Start doing something too soon, act too hastily. For example, The local weather bureau jumped the gun on predicting a storm; it didn’t happen for another two days. This expression alludes to starting a race before the starter’s gun has gone off, and supplants the earlier beat the pistol, which dates from about 1900. [
What does a drop in the bucket mean?
A very small quantity
A very small quantity, especially one that is too small. For example, These contributions are just a drop in the bucket; the new church wing will cost thousands more.