shackle

/'ʃækl/
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shackle

A worker uses a shackle to secure a chain to the heavy anchor.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A physical restraint: A shackle is a U-shaped metal fastening device, closed by a bolt or pin, used to secure a person's ankles or wrists together, or to attach them to a fixed object. It is a type of fetter.
    • A figurative restraint: A shackle can be anything that restricts freedom, movement, or progress, such as a rule, tradition, or obligation.

  2. Verb:

    • To restrain physically: To shackle someone means to put shackles on them; to fetter or chain.
    • To restrict or impede: To shackle something means to severely limit or hinder its freedom, development, or operation.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (Physical):

    • The prisoner's shackles clanked as he walked.
    • The old shackle was found buried near the historic fort.

  • Noun (Figurative):

    • She felt the shackles of her demanding job were affecting her health.
    • They fought to break the shackles of outdated social norms.

  • Verb (Physical):

    • The guards were ordered to shackle the captive's hands.
    • The animal was cruelly shackled to a post.

  • Verb (Figurative):

    • High debt can shackle a company's ability to invest.
    • A lack of education should not shackle one's future prospects.
Advanced Usage
  • "The shackles of...": A common phrase used to describe oppressive constraints.
    • He longed to be free from the shackles of poverty.
  • "Shackle-free": Used to describe a state of being unrestricted.
    • The new policy promised a more shackle-free approach to innovation.
Variants and Related Words
  • Shackled (adj.): Describing someone or something that is restrained or restricted.
    • The shackled prisoner awaited trial.
  • Unshackle (v.): To remove shackles from; to free from restraints.
    • The reform aimed to unshackle the economy from excessive regulation.
Synonyms
  • Noun (Physical): Fetter, manacle, chain, bond, iron.
  • Noun (Figurative): Restraint, constraint, hindrance, impediment, limitation.
  • Verb (Physical): Fetter, manacle, chain, secure.
  • Verb (Figurative): Restrict, constrain, hamper, hinder, impede, trammel.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Shackle" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically direct.) - "Shackle to": To bind or tie someone/something to something else, literally or figuratively. - He felt shackled to his desk by the endless paperwork. - The treaty shackled the nation to unfavorable trade terms.

Related Idioms
  • "Golden shackles": Benefits, such as a high salary, that keep someone in an undesirable job because leaving would mean losing those benefits.
    • He stayed in the stressful job for the golden shackles of the stock options and bonus.
shackle

A worker uses a shackle to secure a chain to the heavy anchor.

Noun
  1. a U-shaped bar; the open end can be passed through chain links and closed with a bar
  2. a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
Verb
  1. restrain with fetters
  2. bind the arms of

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