The Metaphor of “Hands Tied” 👐
“Not free to act.” This metaphor became common after the mid-seventeenth century. An early appearance in print was in clergyman Thomas Fuller’s The Holy State and the Profane State (1642): “When God intends a Nation shall be beaten, He ties their hands behind them.”
Synonyms
- Hamstrung: Impeded or rendered powerless.
- Paralyzed: Unable to move or act.
- Constrained: Restricted in actions or freedom.
Antonyms
- Free-hand: Allowed to act freely.
- Unshackled: Released from restrictions.
- Unbound: Liberated from constraints.
Related Expressions
- “Caught between a rock and a hard place”: Faced with two unappealing options and unable to decide.
- “Stuck in a rut”: Unable to progress or change one’s situation.
- “Hands are tied”: Prevented from taking action.
- “Over a barrel”: Put in a vulnerable or disadvantageous position.
- “Paddle one’s own canoe”: To act independently and face challenges alone.
Humorous Quotes
- “My hands are tied! Too bad it’s by this love of Netflix… by the way, have you seen the latest episode?”
Proverbs
- “Necessity knows no law.” When one is compelled, actions are taken despite restrictions.
- “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Referring to someone finding a method of action despite hindrances.
Literary Reference
Books:
- “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo: Explore the constraints of poverty and societal rules as characters’ hands are metaphorically tied by their situations.
- “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: A teenager feels trapped by expectations.
Songs:
- “I Want to Break Free” by Queen: Symbolizes the struggles bound by societal restraints.
Movies:
- “Shawshank Redemption”: Represents those physically and metaphorically imprisoned, yet finding ways to defy constraints.
Quizzes
### Which of these is a real idiom referring to feeling restricted?
- [x] My hands are tied
- [ ] Sewing with invisible threads
- [ ] Riding a donkey backwards
- [ ] Talking through a cucurbit
> **Explanation:** "My hands are tied" is a genuine idiom used to describe being powerless or unable to act due to circumstances.
### Which phrase means facing two difficult choices?
- [ ] Driving without wheels
- [x] Caught between a rock and a hard place
- [ ] Drowning with cotton socks
- [ ] Flying with cement wings
> **Explanation:** "Caught between a rock and a hard place" refers to being in a dilemma where each option is not favorable.
### True or False: 'Les Misérables' includes metaphors of constraint.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. Victor Hugo’s work is filled with metaphors of societal and personal constraints, illustrating characters with their hands tied by circumstances.
May you find your own way to untie those metaphorical hands and run freely towards your dreams. Until our paths cross again in another page of clichés,
A. J. Lexicon, Word Lover™
