golden handcuffs

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

golden handcuffs pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage a participant from choosing to leave it, especially to retain a choice employee in a role that is unpleasant to them.

   The stock plan really served as golden handcuffs for the executives.

See also

• golden handshake
• golden hello
• golden parachute
• job lock
• velvet handcuffs