ball and chain meaning

A 20th century slang term, meaning wife. English Collins Dictionary - English Definition & Thesaurus. Search ball and chain and thousands of other words in English Cobuild dictionary from Reverso. The earliest citation in print is from The Times, January 1819: "They sentence the prisoner to receive 50 stripes on his bare back, and be confined with a ball and chain to hard labour for 12 calendar months.". Probably from a bar fight. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English ball and chain ˌball and ˈchain noun [singular] 1 something that limits your freedom and stops you from doing what you want to do The lower-tech side of the business was seen as a ball and chain. The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. See more words with the same meaning… The chain tattoo is a very symbolic tattoo and depending on how it is depicted in the tattoo will tell the story of the meaning to that person. The ball and chain was in use in both Britain and the USA by the early 19th century (and possibly much earlier). Definition of ball and chain written for English Language Learners from the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and count/noncount noun labels. hey! dayatatime01on January 26, 2010 Link. Do you know what they mean? The ball and chain is an image associated with prisoners, as a weighted ball attached to a chain would be shackled to an inmate's leg to keep him from escaping. Another word for ball and chain. La pelota y el traje de la cadena implica poco más que , así , la bola y cadena. Dictionary.com Unabridged One's spouse has long been referred to as a "ball and chain", and you can see this reference in wedding paraphernalia that has a ball and chain motif. The origin is from ancient prisoner restraint methods -- approximately around the late middle ages, prisoners wore a heavy metal ball attached by a chain on their legs, to prevent them from making a run for their freedom (or at least, that is the way medieval prisoners are often depicted in modern popular culture). A ball and chain definition: someone or something that limits your freedom to do what you want | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Ball and chain What's the meaning of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? Also, Sublime and Social Distortion both have songs by the title " Ball and Chain ," though the songs are … Ball and Chain " (also " Ball 'n' Chain " or " Ball & Chain ") is a blues song written and recorded by American blues artist Big Mama Thornton. The ball and chain is an image associated with prisoners, as a weighted ball attached to a chain would be shackled to an inmate's leg to keep him from escaping. This, of course, refers back to the actual ball and chain, which was a heavy metal ball, secured to a prisoner's leg by means of a chain and manacle. S-sitting down by my window now now, All around I felt it, All I could see was the rain. All Free. What's the origin of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? ball and chain: [noun] A position in wrestling where one drives their arm down to the bicep underneath another's groin, and then clasps their other hand. Later it was transferred to other kinds of restraining burden. Find more ways to say ball and chain, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. I've tried all other ways, but nothing seems to work. Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese? Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. A ball and chain was a physical restraint device historically applied to prisoners, primarily in the British Empire and its former colonies, from the 17th century until as late as the mid-20th century. Another word for ball chain. What's the origin of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. someone or something that's keeping you from doing what you really want to do. Yeah! S-sitting down by my window, Oh, looking at the rain. Synonyms for ball and chain include girlfriend, little woman, old lady, old woman, wife, white elephant, albatross, burden, burthen and expensive possession. He hits rock bottom and decides "There's got to be another way"In the second verse he picks himself up and has some success, but the ball and chain drags him back into his old ways. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. Cherchez ball and chain et beaucoup d’autres mots dans le dictionnaire de définitions en anglais de Reverso. Ball and chain feeling trapped; joined to something unpleasant. A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. Find more ways to say ball chain, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. This, of course, refers back to the actual ball and chain, which was a heavy metal ball secured to a prisoner's leg by means of a chain and manacle. Find definitions for: ball' and chain' Pronunciation: a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. ball_and_chain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. noun 1 A heavy metal ball secured by a chain to the leg of a prisoner to prevent escape. 'Ball and Chain' (including lyrics) from The Who's new studio album WHO, released on 6 December 2019. The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's … ball and chain. The ball and chain is an image associated with prisoners, as a weighted ball attached to a chain would be shackled to an inmate's leg to keep him from escaping. Something grabbed a hold of me, honey, Felt to me honey like, lord, a ball and chain. The ball and chain costume involves little more than, well, the ball and chain. 0. It implies that the woman is domineering. ball′ and chain′. In this song, Thornton relates the image to her man, who is keeping her down. I've prayed, please take this addiction away from me!! The ball and chain is, if not death, a living torture of never ending entropy. Well I've searched and I've searched To find the perfect life-A brand new car and a brand new suit I even got me a little wife-But wherever I have gone I was sure to find myself there-You can run all your life But not go anywhere 'Ball and Chain' (including lyrics) from The Who's new studio album WHO, released on 6 December 2019. halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. All Free. The Most Surprisingly Serendipitous Words Of The Day, Laying Down The Law On “Sedition” vs. “Treason” vs. “Insurrection” vs. “Coup”, The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is …. Definition of ball and chain. What are you allowing to hold you back? Traditionally, the groom carries the bride across the threshold. The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's leg. English Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia. But then again here we go again! ‘And spare a thought for all those others, whose names are a ball and chain they must pull after them through the wilderness of this world.’ ‘The act is perceived as a ball and chain by Air Canada, the only airline affected by the regulations.’ ‘I wanted to hack off the ball and chain of personality.’ I can't go out tonight. Definition of ball chain in the Definitions.net dictionary. old ball and chain. This, of course, refers back to the actual ball and chain, which was a heavy metal ball secured to a prisoner's leg by means of a chain and manacle. Ball and chain Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries. Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative? Meaning of ball chain. Chain Tattoo Meaning. All Free. ball and chain (Noun) One's wife, as a symbol of restraint. 1. 2. Dictionary entry overview: What does ball and chain mean? Ball meaning drugs Chain meaning alcohol! One’s spouse (derogatory but often affectionate); 2. an ongoing burden. Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. Wikipedia Dictionaries. The Ball and Chain is alcohol. This -fine people- is the definition of Ball & Chain. ball and chain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. A heavy metal ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner to keep him from escaping. See definitions of ball and chain. One’s spouse (derogatory but often affectionate); 2. an ongoing burden. The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary usage: Definition 2 is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as insulting. Well I've searched and I've searched To find the perfect life-A brand new car and a brand new suit I even got me a little wife-But wherever I have gone I was sure to find myself there-You can run all your life But not go anywhere She was forced to do some intense and rough introspection. What does ball chain mean? A burden and restraint, as in Karen regarded her job as a ball and chain, but she needed the money. ball and chain: [noun] A position in wrestling where one drives their arm down to the bicep underneath another's groin, and then clasps their other hand. "Ball and Chain" (also "Ball 'n' Chain" or "Ball & Chain") is a blues song written and recorded by American blues artist Big Mama Thornton. Slang One's wife or husband. The man feels that he has `A ball and chain hanging around his heart`. A ball and chain definition: someone or something that limits your freedom to do what you want | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples No Replies Log in to reply . Ball and Chain Dream Meaning. A ball and chain was a physical restraint device historically applied to prisoners, primarily in the British Empire and its former colonies, from the 17th century until as late as the mid-20th century. The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? ball and chain: 1 n heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain Type of: bond , hamper , shackle , trammel a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a … What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”? In the meaning “romantic partner,” this term is consciously used for humorous or playful effect. Although her recording did not appear on the record charts, the song has become one of Thornton's best-known, largely due to performances and recordings by Janis Joplin . Steel bushing chains were being used on bikes, a chain was used as the propeller drive in the airplane built by the Wright brothers and they were in the rear wheel drive of early cars. Information and translations of ball and chain in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Ball and chain feeling trapped; joined to something unpleasant. In this song . See more words with the same meaning: boyfriend, girlfriend, boo, significant other. Soon after, in 1821, is this US reference from the Ohio Repository, Canton, Ohio: "Bread and water, the ball and chain, and even whipping, the convicts prefer to the solitary cell. Ball and Chain [Elton John song] ==Lyrical meaning== The song is basically about bad love, simply a relationship that is just not working. n. 1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. In this song, Thornton relates the image to her man, who is keeping her down. burdensome restraint: The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress.. a man's wife (often used facetiously). Ball and Chain (Social Distortion song) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia " Ball and Chain " is a hit song by Social Distortion, a Southern California punk rock band, written by Mike Ness in 1987, featured on their self-titled album, released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy (1998). Definition of ball and chain in the Definitions.net dictionary. Big Mama Thornton. " © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Janis Joplin - Ball and Chain (Live at Monterey) This was written and originally recorded by a blues singer named Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, who recorded the original version of "Hound Dog." I have to get home to the old ball and chain. ball and chain (Noun) A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. Personal pursuits ( noun ) one 's freedom or limits one 's,. Find definitions for: ball ' and chain ( noun ) one 's wife held him back from the... 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