ball and chain
noun
: something that limits one's freedom or ability to do things
Drugs are a ball and chain for many people.
(old-fashioned) He referred to his wife as "the ball and chain."
Examples of ball and chain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The substance that once was euphoric becomes a proverbial ball and chain.
—
Emma Fenske,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
The old ball and chain The first issue is that the game, although functional in most of its action, is clunky.
—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Cai focuses on their many regrets and misgivings, not to mention all the guilt weighing on Meiyun, who carries that load around like a giant emotional ball and chain.
—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
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Emma Fenske,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
The old ball and chain The first issue is that the game, although functional in most of its action, is clunky.
—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Cai focuses on their many regrets and misgivings, not to mention all the guilt weighing on Meiyun, who carries that load around like a giant emotional ball and chain.
—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Ball and chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20and%20chain. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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