- (a) ball and chain
- something which limits your freedom.
The house had become a ball and chain - we couldn't sell it and neither could we rent it out.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
(a) ball and chain
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ball and chain — n [singular] 1.) something that limits your freedom and stops you from doing what you want to do ▪ The lower tech side of the business was seen as a ball and chain. 2.) a heavy metal ball on a chain, tied to a prisoner s legs, to stop the… … Dictionary of contemporary English
ball and chain — ball′ and chain′ n. 1) a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s leg 2) off sts sl.: disp. and off. a wife • usage: Definition 2 is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as insulting. It implies that the woman is domineering … From formal English to slang
ball and chain — ☆ ball and chain n. a metal ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s body to prevent escape … English World dictionary
ball and chain — a type of prisoner s restraint, 1818; as one s wife, 1920 … Etymology dictionary
Ball and chain — A ball and chain is a physical restraint device historically used on prisoners.Ball and chain may also refer to: * a physical restraint consisting of a large, heavy metal ball with a chain attached to a prisoner s leg by a manacle. * a… … Wikipedia
Ball and Chain (Social Distortion song) — Infobox Single Name = Ball and Chain Artist = Social Distortion from Album = Social Distortion Released = March 27, 1990 Format = Recorded = 1989 Genre = Alternative rock Length = 5:44 Label = Epic Writer = Mike Ness Producer = Dave Jerden… … Wikipedia
Ball and Chain (Elton John song) — Single infobox Name = Ball and Chain Artist = Elton John from Album = Jump Up! B side = The Retreat Released = September, 1982 Genre = Pop, Rock Length = 3:27 Label = Geffen (US/Canada) Rocket Records Writer = Elton John, Gary Osborne Last single … Wikipedia
ball and chain — 1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s leg. 2. burdensome restraint: The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress. 3. Slang (disparaging and offensive). a man s wife (often used facetiously). [1825 … Universalium
ball and chain — n. a wife; a girlfriend. (Mostly jocular.) □ I’ve got to get home to my ball and chain. □ My ball and chain is mad at me … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
ball and chain — noun a) A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoners leg by a chain as a means of restraint. Take away this ball and chain. b) Ones wife, as a symbol of restraint … Wiktionary
ball and chain — noun 1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s leg. 2. any restraint. –phrase 3. the old ball and chain, Colloquial one s wife …
