a ball and chain



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

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
CassKASEnglish
Andreyahn-DRYAY (Russian)Russian, Bulgarian
Pio-Italian, Portuguese
Anastasiea-na-sta-ZEEFrench
Bahiga-Arabic
Petia-Russian, Bulgarian