English Dictionary

ball and chain

名詞

俗語 比喩的用法

A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. / (slang) One's wife, as a symbol of restraint. / (figuratively) Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.

日本語の意味

囚人の足に重い鉄球と鎖を付けて拘束するための器具 / （スラング）束縛の象徴としての妻 / （比喩的に）自由や可能性を制約するもの

The prisoner struggled under the weight of the ball and chain as he shuffled toward the gate.

囚人は門に向かってよろよろと歩きながら、足に鎖でつながれた重い鉄球の重さに苦しんだ。

意味（1）

A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint.

Well, I got one foot on the platform / The other foot on the train / I'm goin' back to New Orleans / To wear that ball and chain

意味（2）

(slang) One's wife, as a symbol of restraint.

意味（3）

(figuratively) Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.

Their business model of the 1920s and 1930s, which had catapulted the business to undreamt-of heights, had then turned into something of a ball and chain.

balls and chains （ plural ）