bind over

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to place (a person) under a legal obligation, such as one to keep the peace

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bind over Idioms  

1. Oblige someone to do or not do something; hold on bail or keep under bond. For example, The sheriff will bind over the murder suspect to the homicide division. This phrase is nearly always used in a legal context. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Meanwhile, course regulations said to bolster diversity in thought place professors in a confusing bind over the content they can teach and problematic ideas they must entertain in class.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

A municipal judge had found probable cause to bind over Watts’ case.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2024

Japanese currency authorities were likely left in a bind over the yen’s weakening, said Daisaku Ueno, chief forex strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

From Reuters • Jun. 10, 2022

Mr. Obama is facing a double bind over the next two months with the deal pending.

From New York Times • Apr. 12, 2015

From a justice of peace who forgives no offence, But construes the law in its most rigid sense, And still to bind over will find some pretence, Libera me!

From The Jest Book The Choicest Anecdotes and Sayings by Lemon, Mark