English Dictionary

ball and chain

noun

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.

He felt like a ball and chain, holding him back from pursuing his dreams.

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.