over\ the\ barrel

over\ the\ barrel
• over a barrel
• over the barrel
adv. phr. informal
In the power of your enemies; not able to do anything about what happens to you; in a helpless condition; trapped.

Bill had Tom over a barrel because Tom owed him money.

Ralph has me over a barrel; I need five dollars, and he won't lend it to me unless I let him use my bicycle.

Compare: on the ropes

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • over a barrel — also[over the barrel] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In the power of your enemies; not able to do anything about what happens to you; in a helpless condition; trapped. * /Bill had Tom over a barrel because Tom owed him money./ * /Ralph has me over a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • over a barrel — also[over the barrel] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In the power of your enemies; not able to do anything about what happens to you; in a helpless condition; trapped. * /Bill had Tom over a barrel because Tom owed him money./ * /Ralph has me over a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • over\ a\ barrel — • over a barrel • over the barrel adv. phr. informal In the power of your enemies; not able to do anything about what happens to you; in a helpless condition; trapped. Bill had Tom over a barrel because Tom owed him money. Ralph has me over a… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • over a barrel — adverb : at the mercy of one s opponents : in a helpless condition had him over a barrel * * * over a barrel informal phrase if someone has you over a barrel, they know that you are in a difficult situation and that you will have to do what they… …   Useful english dictionary

  • over a barrel — in a situation in which someone has no choice about what to do. The software company has you over a barrel – if you don t accept the license, you can t use the software. Usage notes: usually used with have, as in the example Etymology: based on… …   New idioms dictionary

  • over a barrel — adjective In a disadvantageous or helpless situation, in which one may be controlled or victimized. Ford had the U.A.W. over a barrel; if it failed to sign by midnight, the U.A.W. would be forced to give up its union shop …   Wiktionary

  • over a barrel — in a helpless or trapped position I think that we have them over a barrel and should be able to win the contract easily …   Idioms and examples

  • Over the Hills and Far Away (album) — For the Richard Sharpe related album, see Over the Hills Far Away: The Music of Sharpe. For other uses, see Over the Hills and Far Away (disambiguation). Over the Hills and Far Away EP by Nightwish …   Wikipedia

  • over a barrel — idi+inf at the mercy of circumstances or one s adversaries; without choices …   From formal English to slang

  • Scraping the Barrel — Infobox Album | Name = Scraping the Barrel Type = Album Artist = Gentle Giant Released = 15 November, 2004 Recorded = Genre = Progressive rock Length = Label = Alucard Producer = Reviews = Last album = Under Construction (1997) This album =… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”