someone's hands are tied
US /ˈsʌm.wʌnz hændz ɑːr taɪd/
UK /ˈsʌm.wʌnz hændz ɑːr taɪd/
1.
束手无策, 无能为力
to be unable to act freely or to help in a particular situation because of rules, laws, or other restrictions
:
•
I'd love to help you, but my hands are tied by company policy.
我很想帮你，但公司政策让我束手无策。
•
The government claims its hands are tied by international agreements.
政府声称其束手无策，因为受到国际协议的限制。