The origin of the idiom "have someone over a barrel" likely stems from literal scenarios involving physical restraint or vulnerability. It is related to the practice of punishing or disciplining individuals by placing them over a barrel, where they would be physically immobilized and unable to escape or resist. Another potential origin comes from the concept of barrel usage in the shipping industry. In the past, when a person was trapped inside a barrel, they would be at the mercy of those in control, as their movements would be severely restricted.

What is the origin of the idiom "have someone over a barrel" and when to use it?

e408fc66e5047377f6ecf0f3c4d2a604f7df5876ae2a9021603c1506a09624ce

to [have] {sb} over a barrel

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaGF2ZSBzb21lYm9keSBvdmVyIGEgYmFycmVs&hash=640d540bc69c9070cbd311e131beb18a455f6e2b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

Định nghĩa và ý nghĩa của "have somebody over a barrel"trong tiếng Anh

Download Mobile App