tie one's hands

Prevent one from acting, as in I can't help you this time; my hands are tied by the club's rules. This metaphoric term transfers physical bondage to other kinds of constraint. It was first recorded in 1642.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Beste	-	Turkish
Darma	DAHR-mah	Indonesian
Gulla	-	Ancient Scandinavian
Teca	-	Hungarian
Colby	['kəulbi]
Neas	-	Irish Mythology