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.

mettere qualcuno con le spalle al muro, costringere qualcuno

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

:
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The company had us over a barrel because we needed the contract so badly.
L'azienda ci aveva con le spalle al muro perché avevamo così tanto bisogno del contratto.
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He tried to get me over a barrel by threatening to expose my secret.
Ha cercato di mettermi con le spalle al muro minacciando di rivelare il mio segreto.
:
cornertrapforce someone's handhave someone at one's mercyput someone on the spot