pieds et poings liés

French

Etymology

Literally, “feet and fists bound”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pje.z‿e pwɛ̃ lje/

Phrase

pieds et poings liés

1. bound hand and foot (with one's feet and hands bound)
2. (figuratively) stuck, unable to do anything, entirely at the mercy of someone else

   être pieds et poings liés ― to be hog-tied, to have one's hands and feet tied, to be bound hand and foot