shackle
/ˈʃækəl/
noun
- A metal ring or band used to restrain a person's wrists or ankles, often connected by a chain.
- The guard unlocked the shackles around the inmate's ankles.
- The prisoner's shackles clanked as he walked down the hallway.
- In the museum, we saw ancient iron shackles used on slaves.
- Something that prevents freedom of action or thought; a restraint or limitation.
- The company broke free from the shackles of outdated technology.
- Fear can be a mental shackle that holds you back from trying new things.
- She felt the shackles of tradition were too tight in her small town.
verb
- To put shackles on someone; to restrain with shackles.
- In the old days, they would shackle prisoners to the wall.
- The movie showed a scene where they shackled the hero to a post.
- The guards shackled the suspect's hands behind his back.
- To limit or restrict someone or something; to hinder freedom.
- Red tape can shackle small businesses with too many rules.
- Her lack of confidence shackled her from pursuing her dreams.
- The new regulations shackle the company's ability to innovate.