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golden handcuffs

A situation that is undesirable, unenjoyable, or unfulfilling but that provides enough financial security as to make one unwilling or unable to leave. After nearly three years at my mind-numbing job, held back by the golden handcuffs of my salary and benefits, I decided to break away from it all and go live in Japan.
See also: golden, handcuff

velvet handcuffs

A situation that is undesirable, unenjoyable, or unfulfilling but that provides enough financial security as to make one unwilling or unable to leave. After nearly three years at my mind-numbing job, held back by the velvet handcuffs of my salary and benefits, I decided to break away from it all and go live in Japan.
See also: handcuff, velvet
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

golden handcuffs

Financial benefits that an employee will lose upon resigning, as in The company's presented all the middle managers with golden handcuffs, so they can't afford to leave . This slangy business expression dates from the 1970s.
See also: golden, handcuff
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.

golden handcuffs

n. monetary inducements to stay on the job. (see also golden parachute.) The company provided a variety of golden handcuffs to keep its execs happy through a takeover.
See also: golden, handcuff
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Following a few minutes of unruly and violent behaviour with the policewoman, the Moroccan was finally restrained, handcuffed and taken for the breathalyser test.
Pedicurist jailed for kicking, insulting policewoman
I left him handcuffed in the office and went to the next office ...
Briton assaulted, insulted sergeant who handcuffed him
Speaking to EuzgE-r DE-E-E-nce via his lawyer on Monday, the detained officer said he showed the soldiers accompanying him to hospital a court verdict that dictates imprisoned patients should not be handcuffed during transport to a hospital.
Report: Jailed police inspector denied medical care after refusal to be cuffed
" If it is found that an accused is of desperate and dangerous nature, and the police officer who arrests such person feels that handcuffing is essential, a detailed report shall be recorded specifying the reasons as to why handcuffing is essential in that particular case in the daily diary and then only should such person be handcuffed while being produced in the court," says the letter accessed by M AIL T ODAY .
City cops want handcuffs on dreaded undertrials
Sarah Stewart, defending, did not oppose the application for the defendant to be handcuffed and chairman of the bench Richard Barker agreed to the request.
Assault man is 'cuffed in court
Summary: Marvin Humes has been handcuffed to a little person as the band celebrate his stag do.
JLS: Marvin stitched up on his stag do
A WOMAN who claims a cop handcuffed her in a crucifix position told the accused of a "cop fetish secret", a court heard yesterday.
Attack claim woman 'had cop fetish'
The Bristol-based officer is alleged to have handcuffed the lap dancer on three separate occasions and forced himself on her.
'Rapist cop cuffed prey' COURT
THE moment a woman collapsed with a fatal cardiac arrest while in custody shortly after being handcuffed, was described to an inquest injury.
Woman 'fell to knees'
Officers handcuffed Mena and three other individuals found on the property and removed them to a converted garage where they were allowed to move around but were forced to remain handcuffed.
Detaining individuals at the scene of a search
IF YOU SEE A TUXEDOED figure handcuffed to a briefcase at the next Emmy Awards, it's no James Bond impersonator--it's a CPA.
And the Emmy goes to ... E & Y at the Emmys
The female detainee was handcuffed to a cross bar outside of a holding cell for over 7 hours, with no place to rest her elbow.
Esmont v. City of New York
A mechanic escaped police despite being handcuffed and chased by helicopters, a court heard yesterday.
Handcuffed mechanic escaped police
Three terrorist suspects, including Bourgass, were not handcuffed for an hour-and-a-half after police entered the flat.
Detective's death sparks clarity plea
Gotter said he hadn't heard that the boy was handcuffed or placed in the car.
Deputy handcuffs boy, 8, in knife incident
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