shackles

1. V-T If you are shackled by something, it prevents you from doing what you want to do. 阻碍[正式] [usu passive]

The labour unions are shackled by the law. 该工会被法律所羁绊。

...people who find themselves shackled to a high-stress job. …发现自己为高负荷工作所束缚的人们。

2. N-PLURAL If you throw off the shackles of something, you reject it or free yourself from it because it was preventing you from doing what you wanted to do. 桎梏[文学性] [with supp]

...a country ready to throw off the shackles of its colonial past. …一个愿意甩掉其殖民历史的桎梏的国家。

3. N-PLURAL Shackles are two metal rings joined by a chain which are fastened around someone's wrists or ankles in order to prevent them from moving or escaping. 镣铐

He unbolted the shackles on Billy's hands. 他打开比利的手铐。

4. V-T To shackle someone means to put shackles on them. 用镣铐铐

...the chains that were shackling his legs. …铐着他双腿的锁链。