Meaning of velvet handcuffs | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Golden handcuffs: any arrangement designed to provide favorable benefits or pay so as to discourage a participant from choosing to leave it.
   idiomatic, plural, plural-only
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see velvet, handcuffs.
   plural, plural-only

Examples

“If turnover is low, is this for good reasons or because staff have⟳ no other opportunities or are trapped by "velvet handcuffs" — are dissatisfied and would like⟳ to leave⟳, but the money is too good.”

“Inevitably, it turns out, singing other people's songs or having to collaborate with one's bandmates can sometimes feel⟳ like⟳ a prison sentence, albeit one with velvet handcuffs and minimum security.”

“The transfer⟳ sounded prestigious, but it was definitely a demotion. This was the style of the Brezhnev Politburo: velvet handcuffs, but handcuffs nevertheless.”

CEFR level