英语词汇“ball and chain”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

A ball and chain is a device that was once used to restrain prisoners. You can also call something that's a burden or makes it hard for you to do what you want a ball and chain. Just don't call your mate one!

The original ball and chain was a heavy metal ball attached to a prisoner's body with a thick chain (weighty enough that it kept them from running away, or at least from moving quickly). These restraints were common in seventeenth and eighteenth century Britain. Today, a ball and chain is more likely to be some obligation or responsibility: "My herd of dairy goats is my ball and chain — I have to milk them every day, so I never take vacations."

WORD FAMILY

ball and chain: ball and chains

USAGE EXAMPLES

It was simply such a relief to get the ball and chain of your vicious, punitive, coercive, mandatory health insurance off my neck.

New York Times(Oct 28, 2016)

She referred to her body as “just a ball and chain,” a “meat cage.”

Washington Post(Oct 25, 2016)

But when judges tack exorbitant fines and fees, that debt can turn into a virtual ball and chain to an impoverished defendant’s credit report.

Seattle Times(Sep 29, 2016)

n heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain

Hyper

bond, hamper, shackle, trammel

a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)

单词	ball and chain
释义	ball and chain (once / 53482 pages) n A ball and chain is a device that was once used to restrain prisoners. You can also call something that's a burden or makes it hard for you to do what you want a ball and chain. Just don't call your mate one! The original ball and chain was a heavy metal ball attached to a prisoner's body with a thick chain (weighty enough that it kept them from running away, or at least from moving quickly). These restraints were common in seventeenth and eighteenth century Britain. Today, a ball and chain is more likely to be some obligation or responsibility: "My herd of dairy goats is my ball and chain — I have to milk them every day, so I never take vacations." WORD FAMILY ball and chain: ball and chains USAGE EXAMPLES It was simply such a relief to get the ball and chain of your vicious, punitive, coercive, mandatory health insurance off my neck. New York Times(Oct 28, 2016) She referred to her body as “just a ball and chain,” a “meat cage.” Washington Post(Oct 25, 2016) But when judges tack exorbitant fines and fees, that debt can turn into a virtual ball and chain to an impoverished defendant’s credit report. Seattle Times(Sep 29, 2016) n heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain Hyper bond, hamper, shackle, trammel a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
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