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Force & Obligation Vocabulary Set in Decision & Control: Full and Detailed List

The 'Force & Obligation' vocabulary set in 'Decision & Control' is carefully selected from standard international textbook sources, helping you master vocabulary in a short time. Comprehensive compilation of definitions, illustrative examples, and standard pronunciation...

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force someone's hand

/fɔrs ˈsʌm.wʌnz hænd/

Example:

The company's financial difficulties forced their hand, and they had to announce layoffs earlier than planned.

put the squeeze on

/pʊt ðə skwiːz ɑn/

Example:

The police tried to put the squeeze on the suspect to confess.

clip someone's wings

/klɪp ˈsʌm.wʌnz wɪŋz/

Example:

The new regulations will clip the CEO's wings, preventing him from making unilateral decisions.

have someone over a barrel

/hæv ˈsʌm.wʌn ˈoʊ.vər ə ˈbær.əl/

Example:

The company knew I needed the job, so they really had me over a barrel with the low salary offer.

crack the whip

/kræk ðə wɪp/

Example:

The new manager had to crack the whip to get the team to meet the deadline.

scrape the bottom of the barrel

/skreɪp ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ðə ˈbærəl/

Example:

We're really scraping the bottom of the barrel if we have to hire him.

someone's hands are tied

/ˈsʌm.wʌnz hændz ɑːr taɪd/

Example:

I'd love to help you, but my hands are tied by company policy.

go through the motions

/ɡoʊ θruː ðə ˈmoʊʃənz/

Example:

He was just going through the motions at work after he decided to quit.

make a virtue of necessity

/meɪk ə ˈvɜrtʃu əv nəˈsesɪti/

Example:

We had to cancel our vacation, so we decided to make a virtue of necessity and explore local attractions instead.

my way or the highway

/maɪ weɪ ɔr ðə ˈhaɪˌweɪ/

Example:

In this company, it's my way or the highway.

ball and chain

/bɔl ənd tʃeɪn/

Example:

He felt his job was a ball and chain, preventing him from pursuing his dreams.

marching orders

/ˈmɑːr.tʃɪŋ ˈɔːr.dərz/

Example:

The boss gave him his marching orders after he failed to meet the deadline.
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