force someone's hand
US /fɔrs ˈsʌm.wʌnz hænd/
UK /fɔrs ˈsʌm.wʌnz hænd/

1.
forçar a mão de alguém, obrigar alguém a agir
to make someone do something they do not want to do, or to make them do it sooner than they had intended
:
•
The company's financial difficulties forced their hand, and they had to announce layoffs earlier than planned.
As dificuldades financeiras da empresa os forçaram a agir, e eles tiveram que anunciar demissões antes do previsto.
•
I didn't want to confront him, but his constant delays forced my hand.
Eu não queria confrontá-lo, mas seus atrasos constantes me forçaram a agir.