A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint.
A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint.
In those days a prisoner here had to carry his ball and chain when he was walking to the chow hall.
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Add your own interpretation of "ball and chain".
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(figurative) Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.
Take away this ball and chain
"ball and chain" means: Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"ball and chain" means: Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
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(slang, derogatory, derogatory) One's spouse, especially a wife, as a symbol of restraint.
In those days a prisoner here had to carry his ball and chain when he was walking to the chow hall.
“Huh???? Betcha Googley eyes came up with that one to try to divert the firing plan Yam Tits has on the back burner. He's really liking that jet too - zooming across Country to pick up the old ball and chain😄😄😄😄”
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