straightjacket

/ˈstreɪtˌdʒækɪt/
noun
  1. A garment made of strong material with long sleeves that can be tied to restrain a person's arms, used especially for violent prisoners or mental patients.
    • The patient was placed in a straightjacket to prevent him from hurting himself.
    • The straightjacket was made of heavy canvas and had straps that fastened in the back.
    • In old movies, characters in asylums are often shown wearing a straightjacket.
  2. Something that severely restricts freedom, progress, or creativity.
    • The strict dress code felt like a straightjacket to the creative students.
    • Government regulations can sometimes act as a straightjacket on small businesses.
    • He saw the traditional role of a husband as a straightjacket that limited his choices.
What does "straightjacket" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean