over a barrel
At someone's mercy
To have someone over a barrel is to have them in a helpless position, at your mercy: The landlord had us over a barrel—we couldn't afford to move.
The phrase suggests someone bent over a barrel, unable to resist whatever comes next.
It implies being forced to accept unfavorable terms because no alternative exists.
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- riskPossibility of harm
- controlAuthority to direct
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
- no choiceLack of alternatives
authority · compromise · precariousness · subjugation · coercion · susceptibility · under the gun · dependency · bargaining · disadvantage · ultimatum · trapped · backed into a corner · cornered · rock and a hard place · tight spot · exposure · concession
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, pinch
over a barrelin control
Managing with authority
holding all the cards · in the driver's seat · calling the shots · on top · in charge
over a barrelfree to choose
free as a bird · free and clear · at liberty · uncoerced · unconstrained
over a barrelsitting pretty
In favorable circumstances
secure · protected · safe · invulnerable · untouchable
over, barrel, barrels, barreled, barreling, overture, overt, overly