someone's hands are tied

US /ˈsʌm.wʌnz hændz ɑːr taɪd/
UK /ˈsʌm.wʌnz hændz ɑːr taɪd/
"someone's hands are tied" picture
1.

to be unable to act freely or to help in a particular situation because of rules, laws, or other restrictions

:
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I'd love to help you, but my hands are tied by company policy.
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The government claims its hands are tied by international agreements.
:
'tisgive someone a handplay into someone's handsforce someone's handlend someone a helping handcatch someone red-handedfit to be tied