chain (redirected from pulling chain)

ball and chain 

1. a wife. (Mostly jocular.) I've got to get home to my ball and chain. My ball and chain is mad at me.

2. a person's special burden; a job. (Prisoners sometimes were fettered with a chain attached to a leg on one end and to a heavy metal ball on the other.) Tom wanted to quit his job. He said he was tired of that old ball and chain. Mr. Franklin always referred to his wife as his ball and chain.

See also: and, ball

chain someone or something down

to fasten someone or something down with chains. They chained down the the bicycle rack so no one could steal it. We chained the tool-shed down so a strong wind would not blow it over.

chain someone (or an animal) up

to bind someone or an animal in chains. We will have to chain him up until the police get here. Please chain up your dog.

See also: up

chain something to something

to connect things together with chains. We chained all the bicycles to one another so no one could steal them. We will have to chain the lawn furniture to a tree if we leave it out while we are on vacation.

chain something up

to lock or secure a door or gate with chains. Please chain the gate up again when you come through. Yes, chain up the gate.

See also: up

chain is no stronger than its weakest link

Prov. A successful group or team relies on each member doing well. George is completely out of shape. I don't want him on our ball team; a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

See also: link, strong, weak

chain of command

Fig. the series or sequence of holders of responsibility in a hierarchy. The only way to get things done in the military is to follow the chain of command. Never try to go straight to the top.

See also: command

yank someone's chain

Sl. to harass someone; to give someone a hard time. (As if one were a dog wearing a choker collar, on a leash.) Stop yanking my chain! Do you really think you can just yank my chain whenever you want?

See also: yank

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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

pull/yank somebody's chain  (American & Australian informal)

to say or do something that upsets another person, especially because you enjoy upsetting them Boy, she really knows how to pull your chain!

See also: pull

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yank somebody's chain also pull somebody's chain

to upset someone She knows that playing that music really yanks my chain.

Related vocabulary: push somebody's buttons

See also: yank