hands tied
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That complicates matters for the Fed, which might like to lower interest rates to help boost a slowing job market, but it could find its hands tied.
From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026
And though they won that game, and freshened up their pitching staff by calling up Bobby Miller on Saturday for some extra length, Roberts had his hands tied as Gonsolin started to lose command.
From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2025
Wearing orange detainee uniforms, the suspects were paraded with their hands tied at a news conference in Denpasar, the capital of Bali province.
From Seattle Times • May 13, 2024
The status of the pirates was not mentioned again, but a photo posted on X showed armed Navy personnel guarding men who had their hands tied behind their backs.
From BBC • Jan. 30, 2024
It was an expedition like that of an army without weapons against an impregnable fortress, an army which at the same time had its hands tied behind its back.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
