ball and chain

1. A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint.

   In those days a prisoner here had to carry his ball and chain when he was walking to the chow hall.

   heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain

2. (derogatory, slang)One's spouse, especially a wife, as a symbol of restraint.

   Near-synonyms: other half (neutral valence), better half (positive valence)

   I'll have to ask the old ball and chain and get back to you.

3. (figuratively)Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.

   His boss turned his conscientiousness into a ball and chain by giving him all the hard jobs.

1. We're just a ball and chain for Sami.

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2. Sami and Layla were just a ball and chain for Farid.

   CC BY 2.0 FR · Tatoeba · OsoHombre · C1Open on TatoebaReport a problem

irregular