Definition

Noun: 1. A group of prisoners forced to work together while physically chained to one another: Historically, a "chain gang" refers to a group of convicts, typically from a prison, who are chained together at the ankles or wrists and made to perform hard manual labor, such as road construction or ditch digging, under armed guard.

Usage

The term is used to describe a specific and historically significant form of penal labor. It often carries connotations of harsh punishment, forced labor, and historical injustice. - It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a chain gang, the chain gangs). - It is most commonly used in a historical or descriptive context.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe any group of people who are forced to work together in a harsh, restrictive, or monotonous manner, as if they were chained.
  • The interns felt like they were on a chain gang, photocopying documents all day.

Variants and Related Words

• Chain-gang (adjective form, often hyphenated): Used to describe something related to or characteristic of a chain gang.
  • They were subjected to chain-gang labor conditions.

Synonyms

• Convict labor crew: A more formal and descriptive term.
• Work gang: A broader term for a group of laborers, not necessarily prisoners or chained.
• Prison labor detail: A specific assignment of prisoners to work.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• On a chain gang: To be part of or subjected to such a system, either literally or figuratively.
  • After the scandal, the politicians were treated like they were on a chain gang by the press.

Noun

1. a gang of convicts chained together