bind (redirected from binding)

*in a bind and *in a jam

Fig. in a tight or difficult situation; stuck on a problem. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~; find oneself ~.) I'm in a bind. I owe a lot of money. Whenever I get into a jam, I ask my supervisor for help. When things get busy around here, we get in a bind. We could use another helper.

bind someone or something down

to tie or secure someone or something to something. Bind the tarpaulin so it won't get away. We will bind down the patient tightly. They bound the hatch down so it could not be opened.

bind someone or something together

to tie the parts of something together; to tie a number of things or people together. Can you bind together all three parts? Bind these two bandits together and lead them to jail.

See also: together

bind someone or something up (in something) and bind someone or something up (with something)

to tie someone or something up in something. They bound the books up in leather straps. I will bind up the larger sticks in strong cord.

See also: up

bind someone over (to someone or something)

to deliver someone to some legal authority; to deliver someone to some legal authority. (A legal usage.) They bound the suspect over to the sheriff. The sheriff will bind over the suspect to the county jail.

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a double bind

a situation in which you cannot succeed because whatever you decide to do, there will be bad results Women find themselves in a double bind. If they stay at home with their kids they're regarded as non-achievers and if they go out to work, people say they're neglecting their family.

See also: double

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in a bind

forced to deal with a difficult situation Ashworth felt he was in a bind, with two completely different sets of directions he was supposed to follow.

Related vocabulary: in a tight spot