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."

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Property taxes can be a ball and chain for San Antonio homeowners — especially in neighborhoods where property values have been rising fast. —Marc Duvoisin, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Mar. 2023

Designed by Pesce, the infamous Up 5, a chair that resembles the lines of a female figure, and its sidekick, a literal ball and chain in the form of an ottoman, has recently been embraced by Hollywood set designers. —Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023