Apedia

Barrel Person Jack Lost Copy Book Needed Report

Idiom Over a Barrel
Example Jack is really over a barrel since he lost the only copy of the book he needed for his report.
Meaning helpless; in someone's power; at a disadvantage
Origin There are a couple of possible explanations for this old idiom. One is that a person rescued from drowning was often laid over a barrel to help empty his or her lungs of water. The other is that a person about to be flogged, or whipped for a crime, was often tied over a barrel to hold him down.

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