Slang One's wife or husband. What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”? Search ball and chain and thousands of other words in English Cobuild dictionary from Reverso. Definition of ball and chain in the Definitions.net dictionary. What does ball and chain mean? ball_and_chain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Definition of: ball and chain. In this song . The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. La pelota y el traje de la cadena implica poco más que , así , la bola y cadena. Wikipedia Dictionaries. A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. ‘A believer in strict discipline, he preferred forms of punishment like putting a … Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. hey! Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! 1. 2 a heavy restraint. ball and chain. Definition: 1. The Ball and Chain is alcohol. someone or something that's keeping you from doing what you really want to do. 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 I can't go out tonight. Information and translations of ball chain in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. 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. 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. 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. But then again here we go again! ball and chain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Ball and Chain [Elton John song] ==Lyrical meaning== The song is basically about bad love, simply a relationship that is just not working. 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.” ball and chain. Yeah! 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. Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative? Do you know what they mean? Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition 2. A ball and chain definition: someone or something that limits your freedom to do what you want | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. 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. In this song, Thornton relates the image to her man, who is keeping her down. Meaning of ball chain. 2. See more words with the same meaning: boyfriend, girlfriend, boo, significant other. After a while you start to believe your born to lose and destined to fail! 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. Great Lyrics! 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. ‘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.’ ‘I know I have responsibilities of my own, but they no longer seem to anchor me down like the ball and chain that was my past.’ Cherchez ball and chain et beaucoup d’autres mots dans le dictionnaire de définitions en anglais de Reverso. 1. Definition of ball and chain. Peace Out!!!!! I have to get home to the old ball and chain . old ball and chain, the: [noun] a significant other. (old-fashioned) He referred to his wife as "the ball and chain." What are you allowing to hold you back? What does the idiom “Ball and Chain” mean? A ball and chain definition: someone or something that limits your freedom to do what you want | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Ball meaning drugs Chain meaning alcohol! Meaning of ball and chain. BALL AND CHAIN Meaning: "one's wife," 1920. Ball and chain What's the meaning of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? Find more ways to say ball chain, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. n. 1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. usage: Definition 2 is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as insulting. Written by Pete Townshend. Later it was transferred to other kinds of restraining burden. A burden and restraint, as in Karen regarded her job as a ball and chain, but she needed the money. Something grabbed a hold of me, honey, Felt to me honey like, lord, a ball and chain. ‘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.’ I've tried all other ways, but nothing seems to work. English Collins Dictionary - English Definition & Thesaurus. All Free. The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary What does the idiom “Ball and Chain” mean? Big Mama Thornton. " In this song, Thornton relates the image to her man, who is keeping her down. One’s spouse (derogatory but often affectionate); 2. an ongoing burden. A heavy metal ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner to keep him from escaping. A 20th century slang term, meaning wife. “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.”. Probably from a bar fight. ". (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. See definitions of ball and chain. n. 1 (formerly) a heavy iron ball attached to a chain and fastened to a prisoner. Ball and chain definition: (formerly) a heavy iron ball attached to a chain and fastened to a prisoner | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples What's the origin of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? A 20th century slang term, meaning wife. a person's spouse or romantic partner, especially a female. ball [1] n. 1 a spherical or nearly spherical body or mass. a significant other. The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. I've prayed, please take this addiction away from me!! 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. 'Ball and Chain' (including lyrics) from The Who's new studio album WHO, released on 6 December 2019. It is the great ball and chain upon the leg of many spiritual … 1. heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain Familiarity information: BALL AND CHAIN used as a noun is very rare. In the first verse he talks about a broken nose and an empty bottle of gin. Not True though! All Free. The Most Surprisingly Serendipitous Words Of The Day, Laying Down The Law On “Sedition” vs. “Treason” vs. “Insurrection” vs. “Coup”, The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is …. 0. a wife. 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. 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] 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. 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. All Free. Great Song! The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress. The origin is from ancient prisoner restraint methods -- approximately around the late middle ages, prisoners wore a heavy metal ball attached by a chain on their legs, to prevent them from making a run for their freedom (or at least, that is the way medieval prisoners are often depicted in modern popular culture). Also, Sublime and Social Distortion both have songs by the title " Ball and Chain ," though the songs are … Find definitions for: ball' and chain' Pronunciation: a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. S-sitting down by my window, Oh, looking at the rain. 'Ball and Chain' (including lyrics) from The Who's new studio album WHO, released on 6 December 2019. “Capital” vs. “Capitol”: Do You Know Where You’re Going? We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. 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. Another word for ball and chain. Ball and chain definition, a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner's leg. Ball and chain feeling trapped; joined to something unpleasant. 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. 3 Slang one's wife. Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese? 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. English Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia. It implies that the woman is domineering. dayatatime01on January 26, 2010 Link. ball′ and chain′. Dictionary.com Unabridged Willie Mae Thornton a.k.a. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. Synonyms for ball and chain include girlfriend, little woman, old lady, old woman, wife, white elephant, albatross, burden, burthen and expensive possession. Something, usually a responsibility of some kind, that restricts one's freedom or limits one's possibilities for personal pursuits. The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's leg. halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. Another word for ball and chain. Ball and Chain " (also " Ball 'n' Chain " or " Ball & Chain ") is a blues song written and recorded by American blues artist Big Mama Thornton. Chain Tattoo Meaning. halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. Written by Pete Townshend. The allusion is that one's wife will not let one go anywhere (mostly meant as … The earliest citation in print is from The Times, January 1819: "They sentence the prisoner to receive 50 stripes on his bare back, and be confined with a ball and chain to hard labour for 12 calendar months.". 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. Ball and Chain Dream Meaning. The man feels that he has `A ball and chain hanging around his heart`. • BALL AND CHAIN (noun) The noun BALL AND CHAIN has 1 sense:. What Is An Em Dash And How Do You Use It? 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. Ball and chain Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries. 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. The woman is simply not giving her piece in the relationship. ball and chain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. 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. But it is often perceived as insulting, implying that the partner is a burden or restriction on the other partner. “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). Another word for ball chain. halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. 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, 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. ball and chain: 1 n heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain Type of: bond , hamper , shackle , trammel a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a … 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. 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." ball and chain. 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 . What's the origin of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? See more words with the same meaning… burdensome restraint: The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress.. a man's wife (often used facetiously). 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 A burden and restraint, as in Karen regarded her job as a ball and chain, but she needed the money. Ball and chain feeling trapped; joined to something unpleasant. Ball and Chain. : something that limits one's freedom or ability to do things Drugs are a ball and chain for many people. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins The ball and chain was in use in both Britain and the USA by the early 19th century (and possibly much earlier). ball and chain (Noun) A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. The allusion being to the presumption that a man's wife held him back from doing the things he really wanted to. This -fine people- is the definition of Ball & Chain. 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. halloweencostum...skidsadults.com. Dictionary entry overview: What does ball and chain mean? This -fine people- is the definition of Ball & Chain. One’s spouse (derogatory but often affectionate); 2. an ongoing burden. I have to get home to the old ball and chain. What are you allowing to hold you back? Definition of ball chain in the Definitions.net dictionary. The ball and chain was in use in both Britain and the USA by the early 19th century (and possibly much earlier). Information and translations of ball and chain in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. 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. 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. The ball and chain is, if not death, a living torture of never ending entropy. 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). The ball and chain costume involves little more than, well, the ball and chain. S-sitting down by my window now now, All around I felt it, All I could see was the rain. This job is such a ball and chain, I … ball and chain 1. What does ball chain mean? you know what I mean, But it's way too heavy for you, You can't hold it tomorrow. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Ball and chain'? ball and chain (Noun) One's wife, as a symbol of restraint. Traditionally, the groom carries the bride across the threshold. The "threshold" and "ball and chain" both refer to marriage. “Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time. In the meaning “romantic partner,” this term is consciously used for humorous or playful effect. "Ball and Chain" (also "Ball 'n' Chain" or "Ball & Chain") is a blues song written and recorded by American blues artist Big Mama Thornton. The term, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to chaining a heavy iron ball to a prisoner's … ball and chain: Meaning and Definition of. No Replies Log in to reply . See more. Restriction on the other partner a living torture of never ending entropy but she needed the money and! 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