(your) hands are tied
Meaning: You can say your hands are tied if you're prevented from doing something that you'd normally have the power or the authority to do.
For example:
- The president says he'd like to spend more on schools in poor districts, but says his hands are tied by what he calls "budgetary restrictions".
- I'd really like to give you the contract, Mr Gambino, but my hands are tied because of those laws on giving contracts to people with criminal records.
Quick Quiz:
The guy in the bank who approves loans said his hands were tied and he
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