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to have one's hands tied
{one's} hands [be] tiedto have one's hands tied
01
to be unable to act, help, intervene, or assert one's free will, especially due to rules and restrictions
Examples
He has his hands tied now that he has joined the law school. He ca n't back you up without endangering his career I'm afraid.
I'm afraid this matter shall be resolved at the court of law, my hands are tied in this case.
