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Meaning of have one's hands tied | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

To be powerless to act, to be thwarted.

idiomatic, informal

Equivalents

Français avoir les mains liées

Examples

“I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. My hands are tied.”

CEFR level

C2

Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

have one's head read have one's head screwed on have one's head screwed on right have one's head up one's ass have one's heart in have one's heart in one's boots