straitjacket

Meanings

Noun

• A jacket-like garment with very long sleeves which can be secured in place, thus preventing the wearer from moving his or her arms. Often used in psychiatric hospitals to prevent patients from injuring themselves or others.
• Any situation seen as confining or restricting.

Verb

• To put someone into a straitjacket.
• To restrict the freedom of, either physically or psychologically.

Origin

• From strait + jacket.