a ball and chain

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a ball and chain

something which limits your freedom

Usage notes: A ball and chain was a heavy metal ball that was fastened to a prisoner's leg by a chain, used to stop them moving.

The house had become a ball and chain - we couldn't sell it and neither could we rent it out.

See also: and, ball, chain

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The year he waited for the hangman, he was forced to wear a ball and chain wherever he went. San Quentin, 1900 by Miller, William / African American Review He's a ball and chain preventing you finding someone who will treat you with respect and won't give you mixed signals. Your Life: Dear Miriam - Callous boyfriend puts me on hold; ADVICE by The Mirror (London, England) One online costume provider offers a Ball and Chain costume. Halloween Costumes for Couples and Groups by Jean Rennick / Ethnic, cultural, racial issues community			'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all a babe in the woods a baby boomer a back-handed compliment a backroom boy a backseat driver a bad apple a bad egg A bad workman blames his tools a bag lady a bag of bones a baker's dozen a balancing act a ball and chain a ball-breaker a ballpark estimate a balls-up a banana republic a banana skin a Band-Aid a bang up job a baptism by fire a bargaining chip a basket case a battle of nerves a battle of wills a battle of wits a battle royal a bean counter a bear hug a beast of burden a bed of roses a belly laugh a Bible-basher a big ask a big cheese a big deal a big fish a big fish in a small pond			a babe in the woods a baby boomer A Baby's Best Friend a back-handed compliment a backroom boy a backseat driver a bad apple a bad egg a bad taste in mouth a bad taste in mouth a bad taste in mouth a bad taste in mouth a bad taste in the mouth a bad taste in the mouth a bad taste in the mouth a bad taste in the mouth a bad time A bad workman blames his tools a bag lady a bag of bones a bag of nerves a bag of nerves a bag of nerves a bag of nerves A Bag of Winds A Bag of Winds A baker's dozen A baker's dozen A Balanced Curriculum a balancing act a ball and chain a ball-breaker A balladeer a ballpark estimate a ballpark figure a balls-up a banana republic a banana skin A band A band A band A band A band A Band Called Pain a Band-Aid a bang up job a baptism by fire a baptism of fire A Barbadian's Head a bargaining chip a bargaining counter à bas A Baseline Weight Estimate A Basic Citizen's Definitive Electronic Freedom Guide A Basic Course in Dvorak A Basic Yorktown Security System a basket case A battery A battery A battery (vacuum tubes) A battery (vacuum tubes)

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