get/ have somebody over a barrel
US /ɡet/hæv ˌsʌmbədi ˌoʊvər ə ˈbærəl/
UK /ɡet/hæv ˌsʌmbədi ˌoʊvər ə ˈbærəl/
1.
把某人逼到绝境, 控制某人
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.
公司把我们逼到了绝境，因为我们太需要这份合同了。
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He tried to get me over a barrel by threatening to expose my secret.
他试图通过威胁揭露我的秘密来把我逼到绝境。