straitjacket
straitjacket — noun
- straitjacketsingular
- straitjacketsplural
1. a set of rules, laws, systems, or traditions that are so tight and controlling t
a set of rules, laws, systems, or traditions that are so tight and controlling that they prevent people from acting, creating, or developing in the way they want to
Naoko felt that the school's dress code was a straitjacket on students' ability to express their individual personalities.
a straitjacket on [noun] — figurative pattern showing what is restricted
Marco argued that the new government regulations would act as a straitjacket on small businesses trying to grow.
act as a straitjacket on [something]
Tunde sees the strict curriculum as a straitjacket that stops teachers from trying new methods in the classroom.
Ritu left the company because she could not bear the straitjacket of its rigid nine-to-five culture.
- shackle
slightly stronger; suggests chains that trap movement
- restriction
more neutral and general; less vivid imagery
- stratjacket
a common misspelling — the correct spelling is 'strait' (meaning narrow/tight)
- liberation
freedom from control
- carte blanche
complete freedom to act as one wishes
文法句型
a straitjacket of [restriction]
be a straitjacket on [activity]
用法筆記
This figurative sense is now far more common in modern writing than the literal garment sense. The image suggests something so tight that no movement or growth is possible.
常見錯誤
2. a strong jacket made of thick cloth that ties the arms tightly against the body,
a strong jacket made of thick cloth that ties the arms tightly against the body, used to control prisoners or patients who might hurt themselves or others
When the patient became violent, the hospital staff had to put him in a straitjacket to keep everyone safe.
put someone in a straitjacket — physical restraint context
After Marco tried to attack a nurse, the medical team placed him in a straitjacket until he calmed down.
place someone in a straitjacket — patient restraint scenario
Kenji was placed in a straitjacket after he tried to hurt himself during a psychotic episode.
The head nurse showed Hugo how to fasten a straitjacket safely during the drill.
- restraint garment
more clinical and less common; used in official hospital documents
- strait-waistcoat
historical term from the 19th century
文法句型
a straitjacket
put someone in a straitjacket
用法筆記
Now rare in actual medical use, but very common in historical accounts, films, and figurative extensions.
常見錯誤
straitjacket — verb
- straitjacketpresent simple I / you / we / they
- straitjackets3rd person singular
- straitjacketing-ing form
- straitjacketedpast simple
1. to limit someone or something so severely that they cannot move, change, or deve
to limit someone or something so severely that they cannot move, change, or develop freely
Pim felt straitjacketed by the company's strict dress policy, which required all employees to wear identical grey suits.
passive: be straitjacketed by [restriction] — figurative
Ari felt straitjacketed by the company's expense policy, which required three managers to approve any purchase over fifty dollars.
passive: be straitjacketed by [restriction] — figurative bureaucracy context
Dewi argues that the old funding model straitjackets researchers who want to explore unusual ideas.
Darius was straitjacketed by a tradition that demanded every decision pass through five committees.
文法句型
be straitjacketed by [restriction]
straitjacket someone/something with [rules]
用法筆記
This verb can describe both the physical act of putting someone into a straitjacket garment and controlling through rigid rules or systems. In the figurative sense it is almost always used in the passive (be straitjacketed by...).