Question

in_the_loop_543 in a difficult situation or position Similar to: in a bind; in a fix; between a rock and a hard place; between the devil and the deep blue sea

Accepted Answer

OVER A BARREL They agreed on the price of the car with the salesman, but now they can’t borrow enough from the bank. They’re over a barrel because they’ll lose their deposit if they can’t come up with the rest of the money.If I look for another job, the companies I interview with are going to want to check with my current boss. But I don’t want him to know I’m looking for a new job. I’m over a barrel.I had to borrow some money from a colleague at work, and now he wants me to help him fix his car on Saturday. I really don’t have time to do it, but he’s got me over a barrel since I owe him a favor.

Id	in_the_loop_543
Idiom	OVER A BARREL
Definition	in a difficult situation or position
Examples	They agreed on the price of the car with the salesman, but now they can’t borrow enough from the bank. They’re over a barrel because they’ll lose their deposit if they can’t come up with the rest of the money. If I look for another job, the companies I interview with are going to want to check with my current boss. But I don’t want him to know I’m looking for a new job. I’m over a barrel. I had to borrow some money from a colleague at work, and now he wants me to help him fix his car on Saturday. I really don’t have time to do it, but he’s got me over a barrel since I owe him a favor.
Cross-Refs	Similar to: in a bind; in a fix; between a rock and a hard place; between the devil and the deep blue sea

I Barrel Car Can’t Borrow Don’t I’m Fix