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.

窮地に追い込む, 思い通りにさせる

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.
契約がどうしても必要だったので、会社は私たちを窮地に追い込んだ
He tried to get me over a barrel by threatening to expose my secret.
彼は私の秘密を暴露すると脅して、私を窮地に追い込もうとした