bind someone hand and foot

bind (one) hand and foot

1. Literally, to tie one's hands and feet together. In the movie, the villain bound all the security guards hand and foot so that they couldn't sound the alarm. Of course those pranksters bound their babysitter hand and foot so they could go to the mall with their friends. I know you're afraid of this guy, but it's not like he's going to bind you hand and foot and throw you on the railroad tracks. You'll be fine.

2. By extension, to cause one to feel trapped in a daunting situation. Yes, I have a degree now, but this institution has bound me hand and foot to debt that I won't be able to pay off for years. A: "You've never been married?" B: "Nope, I've never had any interest in something that is going to bind me hand and foot to another person." I feel like the CEO has bound me hand and foot to this project by personally putting me in charge of it.

See also: and, bind, foot, hand

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

bind (or tie) someone hand and foot

severely restrict someone's freedom to act or make decisions.

See also: and, bind, foot, hand, someone

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017