obligate

obligate (one) to

1. To compel, bind, or otherwise force one to do something out of a moral or legal obligation. You cannot obligate your employees to put themselves in harm's way. It's simply not the case that pregnancy obligates a couple to get married any longer.

2. To compel, bind, or otherwise force one remain with or loyal to a particular person, group, company, etc. I just feel like the personal favors my bosses have done for me obligates me to them in some way. The fact of the matter is that your paternity obligates you financially to the baby's mother until the child reaches 18 years of age.

See also: obligate, to

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

obligate someone to someone or something

to force someone to do something for someone or something. This contract obligates you to the company for five years! I don't wish to obligate myself to anyone.

See also: obligate, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.