someone's hands are tied

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

tener las manos atadas, estar atado de manos

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

:
•
I'd love to help you, but my hands are tied by company policy.
Me encantaría ayudarte, pero tengo las manos atadas por la política de la empresa.
•
The government claims its hands are tied by international agreements.
El gobierno afirma que tiene las manos atadas por acuerdos internacionales.
:
'tisgive someone a handplay into someone's handsforce someone's handlend someone a helping handcatch someone red-handedfit to be tied