with one arm tied behind one's back

with one arm tied behind (one's) back

Easily or effortlessly; encountering no difficulty or resistance (while doing something). Are you kidding? Montgomery is a powerhouse boxer. He'd knock that kid out with one arm tied behind his back! Oh, please, I could beat you in a game of chess with one arm tied behind my back.

See also: arm, back, behind, one, tie

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

with one arm tied behind one's back

Also, with one hand; with one's eyes closed. Very easily, as in I can assemble that chair with one arm tied behind my back, or I could make a better dinner with one hand, or He can do that puzzle with his eyes closed. All these phrases are hyperbolic. Also see do blindfolded.

See also: arm, back, behind, one, tie

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.