bind hand and foot

English

Verb

bind hand and foot (third-person singular simple present binds hand and foot, present participle binding hand and foot, simple past and past participle bound hand and foot)

  1. (transitive) To tie up (someone’s) hands and feet.
    My kidnappers had bound me hand and foot so any attempt at escaping was of no avail.
  2. (transitive, figurative) To prevent (someone) from doing what they wish, to firmly constrain.
    Synonym: tie hand and foot
    bound hand and foot

Translations

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Further reading