ball and chain
Americannoun
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a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg.
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a burdensome restraint.
The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress.
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Facetious Slang: Often Offensive. a person's spouse or romantic partner, especially a female.
noun
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(formerly) a heavy iron ball attached to a chain and fastened to a prisoner
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a heavy restraint
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slang a wife
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
As time went on, Veasley said her pain became like a ball and chain that got heavier and heavier.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2023
Dominic Santana, who showed up in the jailhouse uniform complete with handcuffs and a plastic ball and chain, said he “wanted to join the circus.”
From Washington Times ● Jun. 13, 2023
R.E.M. called irony “the shackles of youth,” and he drags it around like a Styrofoam ball and chain.
From New York Times ● Apr. 17, 2019
Thoroughly disgruntled, the sparrow hopped along like a feathered convict with a ball and chain, forced to follow the young mouse wherever he chose to wander.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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.
