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Over a Barrel

In a helpless position, in a dilemma, at someone’s mercy

Etymology:

  • More than one explanation can be made about this idiom. Firstly, a person saved from drowning was often laid to the barrel to empty the water in his or her lungs. Second explanation is the person who was convicted to a crime was often tied to the barrel for conviction.
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There is a risk in doing business with someone over a barrel.

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Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Over a Barrel':

over a barrelIn a disadvantageous or helpless situation, in which one may be controlled or victimized.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Over a Barrel

over one's headover and overover the hills and far awaymind over matterlord it overOver the Hillover and over againlook overover and outlunatics have taken over the asylummist overover nine thousandover the river and through the woodsover the moon

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