Idioms

handcuff

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golden handcuffs

A situation that is undesirable, unenjoyable, or unfulfilling but that provides enough financial security as to make one unwilling or unable to leave. After nearly three years at my mind-numbing job, held back by the golden handcuffs of my salary and benefits, I decided to break away from it all and go live in Japan. I think many adults find themselves in golden handcuffs, especially once they've had kids and bought a house. A: "I don't have any time for my art anymore, but it's not like I can just leave the law firm and give up that paycheck." B: "Sounds like a 'golden handcuffs' sort of situation."
See also: golden, handcuff

velvet handcuffs

A situation that is undesirable, unenjoyable, or unfulfilling but that provides enough financial security as to make one unwilling or unable to leave. After nearly three years at my mind-numbing job, held back by the velvet handcuffs of my salary and benefits, I decided to break away from it all and go live in Japan.
See also: handcuff, velvet
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

golden handcuffs

Financial benefits that an employee will lose upon resigning, as in The company's presented all the middle managers with golden handcuffs, so they can't afford to leave . This slangy business expression dates from the 1970s.
See also: golden, handcuff
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

golden handcuffs

n. monetary inducements to stay on the job. (see also golden parachute.) The company provided a variety of golden handcuffs to keep its execs happy through a takeover.
See also: golden, handcuff
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
The lawyers refused to assist the court proceedings unless handcuffs of the arrested teachers were removed.
According to the accusation sheet, prosecutors said the suspect treated the policeman brutally and risked his [policeman's] life when he intentionally sped off while the policeman had remained holding on to the handcuff.
"The handcuffs were removed by fire crews and she was taken to University Hospital of Wales by ambulance.
"If the farmer had kept a pair of handcuffs in his kitchen drawer, and had been trained and certified by us, a safe and effective restraint could have been made with no possibility of any liability.
It wasn't until 1862 that the main form of handcuffs that we know today was invented.
A likely scenario emerging during the execution of a search warrant is the need to detain individuals and place them in handcuffs. The court cases dealing with issues arising out of the execution of search warrants frequently involve defendants alleging that a police officer violated their Fourth Amendment rights upon 1) the initial detention and 2) in the amount of force used by the officers to make this detention.
The leader of the Police Federation has challenged the Government to clarify when officers are allowed to use handcuffs during arrests to prevent a repeat of the murder of Detective Constable Stephen Oake.
CRESWELL - An 8-year-old boy was arrested and placed in handcuffs at Creslane Elementary School after another student told administrators he had a knife.
Recruits to Scotland's eight police forces are being told to handcuff drinking drivers as part of their training.
According to the details, NAB chairman Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal on Wednesday visited the NAB Lahore office and suspended the case officer over producing the academic in handcuff before the court.
The policewoman was asked by her co-worker to handcuff the 24-year-old Moroccan pedicurist, who had been apprehended for consuming alcohol, and to take her for a breathalyser test in another place in February.
Summary: Defendant convicted of injuring policeman, who tried to handcuff him, and damaging walkie-talkie
After two nights without any killings in Quezon City, the body of an unidentified man with a handcuff around his ankle and a gunshot wound on the nape was found in front of a church after Thursday midnight.
It was not a pleasant feeling to see a senior citizen and a well-known columnist being handcuffed on a charge that at best is a minor civil misdemeanour.
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