bind hand and foot

English

Verb

bind hand and foot (third-person singular simple present binds hand and foot, present participle binding hand and foot, simple past and past participle bound hand and foot)

1. (transitive) To tie up (someone’s) hands and feet.

   My kidnappers had bound me hand and foot so any attempt at escaping was of no avail.

2. (transitive, figurative) To prevent (someone) from doing what they wish, to firmly constrain.

   Synonym: tie hand and foot

   bound hand and foot

Translations

Translations

• Finnish: kahlita (fi), sitoa (fi)
• Spanish: atar de pies y manos

See also

• hand and foot
• wait on hand and foot

Further reading

• “hand and foot”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “be bound hand and foot by something”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “tie bind somebody hand and foot” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.