get/ have somebody over a barrel

US /ɡet/hæv ˌsʌmbədi ˌoʊvər ə ˈbærəl/
UK /ɡet/hæv ˌsʌmbədi ˌoʊvər ə ˈbærəl/
"get/ have somebody over a barrel" picture
1.

membuat seseorang tidak berdaya, memaksa seseorang

to put someone in a very difficult position from which they cannot escape without suffering, especially so that you can make them do what you want

:
The company had us over a barrel because we needed the contract so badly.
Perusahaan membuat kami dalam posisi sulit karena kami sangat membutuhkan kontrak itu.
He tried to get me over a barrel by threatening to expose my secret.
Dia mencoba membuatku tidak berdaya dengan mengancam akan membongkar rahasiaku.