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Synonyms

ball and chain

American  

noun

  1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg.

  2. a burdensome restraint.

    The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress.

  3. Facetious Slang: Often Offensive. a person's spouse or romantic partner, especially a female.

ball and chain British  

noun

  1. (formerly) a heavy iron ball attached to a chain and fastened to a prisoner

  2. a heavy restraint

  3. slang a wife

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
ball and chain Idioms  

  1. A burden and restraint, as in Karen regarded her job as a ball and chain, but she needed the money. The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's leg. Later it was transferred to other kinds of restraining burden.

Sensitive Note

In the meaning “romantic partner,” this term is consciously used for humorous or playful effect. But it is often perceived as insulting, implying that the partner is a burden or restriction on the other partner.

Etymology

Origin of ball and chain

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

High prices have hobbled Americans with a ball and chain.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 15, 2025

Mr. Pesce explained that, with its suggestion of a ball and chain, what was variously referred to as La Mamma, Big Mama, Donna, and the Up chair portrayed the subjugation of women.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2024

As time went on, Veasley said her pain became like a ball and chain that got heavier and heavier.

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2023

New monuments have gone up elsewhere, including Brown University’s Slavery Memorial sculpture - a partially buried ball and chain - and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers under construction at the University of Virginia.

From Washington Times • Dec. 14, 2019

George Atzerodt goes meekly into custody and is soon fitted with wrist shackles, and a ball and chain on his ankle.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.