The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. Information and translations of ball and chain in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. dayatatime01on January 26, 2010 Link. A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. : something that limits one's freedom or ability to do things Drugs are a ball and chain for many people. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's … See more. The ball and chain was in use in both Britain and the USA by the early 19th century (and possibly much earlier). Meaning of ball and chain. n. 1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. Not True though! Dictionary.com Unabridged ball and chain (Noun) A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. ball and chain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. ball and chain. Something, usually a responsibility of some kind, that restricts one's freedom or limits one's possibilities for personal pursuits. 1. heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain Familiarity information: BALL AND CHAIN used as a noun is very rare. 3 Slang one's wife. you know what I mean, But it's way too heavy for you, You can't hold it tomorrow. Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese? This job is such a ball and chain, I … This, of course, refers back to the actual ball and chain, which was a heavy metal ball, secured to a prisoner's leg by means of a chain and manacle. Cherchez ball and chain et beaucoup d’autres mots dans le dictionnaire de définitions en anglais de Reverso. Janis Joplin - Ball and Chain (Live at Monterey) This was written and originally recorded by a blues singer named Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, who recorded the original version of "Hound Dog." Another word for ball and chain. Definition of: ball and chain. The woman is simply not giving her piece in the relationship. The chain tattoo is a very symbolic tattoo and depending on how it is depicted in the tattoo will tell the story of the meaning to that person. Another word for ball chain. Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative? The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress. This -fine people- is the definition of Ball & Chain. See more words with the same meaning: boyfriend, girlfriend, boo, significant other. The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's leg. We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Ball and chain feeling trapped; joined to something unpleasant. Definition of ball and chain written for English Language Learners from the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and count/noncount noun labels. Do you know what they mean? a significant other. No Replies Log in to reply . halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. What are you allowing to hold you back? I have to get home to the old ball and chain. I've tried all other ways, but nothing seems to work. For example: “I’d love to go to the game with you, but let me check with the ol’ ball and chain—she may have plans for later in the afternoon.” Well I've searched and I've searched To find the perfect life-A brand new car and a brand new suit I even got me a little wife-But wherever I have gone I was sure to find myself there-You can run all your life But not go anywhere She was forced to do some intense and rough introspection. The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. Written by Pete Townshend. halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. Ball and chain definition, a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. Steel bushing chains were being used on bikes, a chain was used as the propeller drive in the airplane built by the Wright brothers and they were in the rear wheel drive of early cars. This -fine people- is the definition of Ball & Chain. What are you allowing to hold you back? Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Definition of ball and chain in the Definitions.net dictionary. Another word for ball and chain. “Capital” vs. “Capitol”: Do You Know Where You’re Going? 1. Later it was transferred to other kinds of restraining burden. A heavy metal ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner to keep him from escaping. Definition of ball and chain. In the words of lead singer/writer Mike Ness, Ball and Chain is “a hard luck story,” [1] a forceful cry, a lament, a plea, a “folk prayer.” [2] La pelota y el traje de la cadena implica poco más que , así , la bola y cadena. Find more ways to say ball and chain, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. ball and chain: [noun] A position in wrestling where one drives their arm down to the bicep underneath another's groin, and then clasps their other hand. S-sitting down by my window now now, All around I felt it, All I could see was the rain. Ball and chain What's the meaning of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? • BALL AND CHAIN (noun) The noun BALL AND CHAIN has 1 sense:. usage: Definition 2 is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as insulting. In the meaning “romantic partner,” this term is consciously used for humorous or playful effect. A 20th century slang term, meaning wife. (old-fashioned) He referred to his wife as "the ball and chain." But it is often perceived as insulting, implying that the partner is a burden or restriction on the other partner. Willie Mae Thornton a.k.a. Soon after, in 1821, is this US reference from the Ohio Repository, Canton, Ohio: "Bread and water, the ball and chain, and even whipping, the convicts prefer to the solitary cell. old ball and chain, the: [noun] a significant other. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English ball and chain ˌball and ˈchain noun [singular] 1 something that limits your freedom and stops you from doing what you want to do The lower-tech side of the business was seen as a ball and chain. What's the origin of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? See more words with the same meaning… Definition of ball and chain written for English Language Learners from the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and count/noncount noun labels. Written by Pete Townshend. old ball and chain. burdensome restraint: The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress.. a man's wife (often used facetiously). ball and chain: Meaning and Definition of. a wife. Ball meaning drugs Chain meaning alcohol! One's spouse has long been referred to as a "ball and chain", and you can see this reference in wedding paraphernalia that has a ball and chain motif. Probably from a bar fight. This, of course, refers back to the actual ball and chain, which was a heavy metal ball secured to a prisoner's leg by means of a chain and manacle. (formerly) a heavy iron ball attached to a chain and fastened to a prisoner, Karen regarded her job as a ball and chain, but she needed the money. A ball and chain was a physical restraint device historically applied to prisoners, primarily in the British Empire and its former colonies, from the 17th century until as late as the mid-20th century. Traditionally, the groom carries the bride across the threshold. The ball and chain is an image associated with prisoners, as a weighted ball attached to a chain would be shackled to an inmate's leg to keep him from escaping. 2. n. 1 (formerly) a heavy iron ball attached to a chain and fastened to a prisoner. After a while you start to believe your born to lose and destined to fail! ball and chain: [noun] A position in wrestling where one drives their arm down to the bicep underneath another's groin, and then clasps their other hand. All Free. Ball and Chain [Elton John song] ==Lyrical meaning== The song is basically about bad love, simply a relationship that is just not working. ball_and_chain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. It implies that the woman is domineering. But then again here we go again! ". The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary hey! Search ball and chain and thousands of other words in English Cobuild dictionary from Reverso. 'Ball and Chain' (including lyrics) from The Who's new studio album WHO, released on 6 December 2019. ball′ and chain′. Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. He hits rock bottom and decides "There's got to be another way"In the second verse he picks himself up and has some success, but the ball and chain drags him back into his old ways. Information and translations of ball chain in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Well I've searched and I've searched To find the perfect life-A brand new car and a brand new suit I even got me a little wife-But wherever I have gone I was sure to find myself there-You can run all your life But not go anywhere In this song, Thornton relates the image to her man, who is keeping her down. See definitions of ball and chain. A burden and restraint, as in Karen regarded her job as a ball and chain, but she needed the money. All Free. Great Lyrics! What does the idiom “Ball and Chain” mean? “Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time. I can't go out tonight. noun 1 A heavy metal ball secured by a chain to the leg of a prisoner to prevent escape. Ball and chain Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries. Yeah! What's the meaning of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? One’s spouse (derogatory but often affectionate); 2. an ongoing burden. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Slang One's wife or husband. “Ball and Chain” is a hit song by Social Distortion, a Southern California punk rock band, featured on their self-titled album, released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy (1998). ball and chain. In this song . The ball and chain costume involves little more than, well, the ball and chain. someone or something that's keeping you from doing what you really want to do. a person's spouse or romantic partner, especially a female. The ball and chain is, if not death, a living torture of never ending entropy. It is the great ball and chain upon the leg of many spiritual … Ball and Chain Dream Meaning. ‘And spare a thought for all those others, whose names are a ball and chain they must pull after them through the wilderness of this world.’ ‘The act is perceived as a ball and chain by Air Canada, the only airline affected by the regulations.’ ‘I wanted to hack off the ball and chain of personality.’ ball and chain (Noun) One's wife, as a symbol of restraint. English Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia. ‘A believer in strict discipline, he preferred forms of punishment like putting a … Find more ways to say ball and chain, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Although her recording did not appear on the record charts, the song has become one of Thornton's best-known, largely due to performances and recordings by Janis Joplin . Ball and Chain (Social Distortion song) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia " Ball and Chain " is a hit song by Social Distortion, a Southern California punk rock band, written by Mike Ness in 1987, featured on their self-titled album, released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy (1998). This, of course, refers back to the actual ball and chain, which was a heavy metal ball secured to a prisoner's leg by means of a chain and manacle. 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