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Hands are Tied

Not able to help or assist; stay away from doing what you are willing to do; helpless to do something

Etymology:

  • This idiom got famous in the 17th century. It refers to a person whose hands are tied together in real. If someone is unable to do anything he/she actually willing to do, may be the reason is his /her tied hands. However, this idiom doesn’t actually describe that your hands are tied, but when you are feeling powerless and helpless in doing something it figuratively seems that your hands are tied.
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I always wanted to help Sara, but it feels like my hands are tied.

Submitted on February 25, 2019

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    "Hands are Tied." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/hands-are-tied_44735>.

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