pattern

Decision & Control - Force & Obligation

Dive into English idioms regarding force and obligation, like "be boxed into a corner" and "the call of duty".

review-disable

Review

flashcard-disable

Flashcards

quiz-disable

Quiz

Start learning
English idioms related to Decision & Control
to force one's hand

to leave someone no choice but to do something they would not do otherwise

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to put the squeeze on sb

to make someone do something by putting them under pressure, especially to get money from them

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to clip one's wings

to reduce or restrain a person's freedom, influence, or authority

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to have sb over a barrel

to place someone in a situation in which they have no choice but to accept one's offer or request

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to crack the whip

to make use of one's power or authority to force someone to work harder or behave better

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to be boxed into a corner

to be placed in a problematic situation to which there is no favorable solution

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to scrape (the bottom of) the barrel

to have no option but to make use of people or things of very poor quality

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
one's hands are tied

used to say that one's freedom in action is limited by a rule or law

[sentence]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to go through the motions

to do something without real interest, feeling, or effort

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
the call of duty

the feeling or belief that one must do or accomplish something

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
to make a virtue of necessity

to get an advantage from doing something that is forced upon one

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
one's way or the highway

used to say that someone has two options, either accept what has been said or leave it be

[sentence]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
ball and chain

something that limits or takes away one's freedom to do what one wants

[phrase]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
marching orders

a set of instructions from a person in authority concerning what one must do or how to do it

[noun]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
no strings attached

offered or provided without any hidden agendas, requirements, or consequences

[sentence]
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
dictionary link
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app