Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

your hands are tied

idiomatic expression

/jʊər hændz ɑːr taɪd/

Definition

A phrase indicating that someone is unable to act or make decisions due to circumstances beyond their control.

Examples

Even though I wanted to help, I realized that my hands were tied by company policy.
She wanted to negotiate, but her hands were tied by the strict guidelines.
His hands are tied in this situation; he can only follow orders.

Meaning

This expression is often used to convey that a person cannot change a situation or intervene in a matter, typically due to rules, obligations, or limitations they face.