with one hand tied behind one's back

adverb

Easily, without much effort.

“The boss won’t let us follow our normal procedures because he thinks it will take too long, so we’re effectively working with one hand tied behind our backs.”

Similar
hands downone-handedwith one's eyes closedstanding on one's head
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Meanings

adverb

alternative with one arm tied behind one's back

  1. figurativelyinformalEasily, without much effort.

    Synonyms: hands down, one-handed, with one's eyes closed, standing on one's head

  2. figurativelyinformalHampered by factors outside one’s control.

    The boss won’t let us follow our normal procedures because he thinks it will take too long, so we’re effectively working with one hand tied behind our backs.

Synonyms & antonyms

adverbEasily, without much effort.

Similar
hands downone-handedwith one's eyes closedstanding on one's head
Also see
with one's eyes closed
Cite this entry
APA

with one hand tied behind one's back. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/with%20one%20hand%20tied%20behind%20one's%20back

MLA

“with one hand tied behind one's back.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/with%20one%20hand%20tied%20behind%20one's%20back. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “with one hand tied behind one's back,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/with%20one%20hand%20tied%20behind%20one's%20back.

Source: with one hand tied behind one's back on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.