noun

straitjacket

STRAYT-ja-kiht

noun

A restrictive garment with long sleeves that bind the arms across the body, used to stop someone from hurting themselves or others.

"The unruly patient was placed in a straitjacket."

Anything that severely restricts freedom of action.

"The new regulations put local businesses in a financial straitjacket."

verb

To severely restrict or confine someone or something.

"Strict quotas straitjacketed the department's output."

How to Use Straitjacket

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA restraining garment for the arms, or figuratively, anything that boxes you in and limits what you can do.

straitjacketed past tense, straitjackets plural, straitjackets singular

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The unruly patient was placed in a _____.

From "strait" ("restrictive") plus "jacket."

jacket racket packet bracket