over a barrel

Idioms  

1. In a weak or difficult position, as in Once the competitors found a flaw in our product, they had us over a barrel. This slangy expression, first recorded in 1938, supposedly alludes to reviving a drowning victim by placing the body head down over a barrel and rolling it back and forth, so as to empty the lungs of water. The expression survives, although happily the practice does not.

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Example Sentences

It said the "unacceptable outcome" followed a pattern seen at other opencast sites, where councils were "held over a barrel", facing huge costs if companies ultimately decided to walk away.

From BBC

In sum, the deep state and the rules of supply and demand might have him over a barrel on this one.

From Slate

The Freedom Caucus has McCarthy over a barrel.

From Slate

What this week also showed is that politicians who would draw things out have plenty of incentive to do so, particularly when their opponent is over a barrel.

From Washington Post

“Don’t get me wrong, Musk is a thin-skinned erratic hypocrite, but he’s got us over a barrel,” she added, until another social media platform comes along to rival it.

From Washington Post