Question

Over a Barrel helpless; in someone's power; at a disadvantage

Accepted Answer

Jack is really over a barrel since he lost the only copy of the book he needed for his report. 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.

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.

Barrel Person Jack Lost Copy Book Needed Report