dead hand
Americannoun
noun
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an oppressive or discouraging influence or factor
the dead hand of centralized control
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law a less common word for mortmain
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.
"The levers you pull don't just connect to something – the dead hand of the Treasury can't simply control economic growth."
From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2025
The study group report said Russia has not said whether the upgrade of its nuclear command and control system will result in canceling the dead hand system.
From Washington Times ● May 29, 2023
And their emancipation from the dead hand of everything prior.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 8, 2022
It is far better to show interest and creativity from day one than to let yourself be trapped under the dead hand of corporatism.
From Forbes ● Feb. 24, 2014
As Lawrence became more interested in the military applications of nuclear research, he grew more dismayed at the lack of progress under the dead hand of the Uranium Committee.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
