straight jacket
Canvas body binding
A straitjacket is a garment used to restrain people, typically those deemed dangerous to themselves or others, by binding the arms tightly against the body.
The sleeves wrap around and fasten at the back, preventing the wearer from using their hands.
Figuratively, a straitjacket is any severe constraint on freedom or flexibility: The regulations put the industry in a straitjacket.
The spelling "straight jacket" is a common error; the word derives from strait meaning narrow or confined.
Garment restricting arm movement
- bindingLegally or morally required
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- confinementState of being restricted
constraint · restriction · containment · fetters · manacles · encumbrance · trammel · captivity
Extreme irrational foolishness
- insanitySevere mental illness
- derangementDisturbed mental state
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- deliriumAcute mental disorientation
hysteria · unhinged · crazed · demented · frenzy · violent · dangerous · episode
Shelter from persecution
- sanitariumMedical recovery facility
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
- padded cellFoam-lined isolation chamber
- wardProtected person; division
sedation · psychosis · therapy · treatment · psychiatric · mental hospital · commitment · patient
Labored effort against resistance
- wriggleTwisting, snakelike movement
- HoudiniFamous escape artist
- escapologyArt of freeing oneself
- contortionistOne who bends extremely
breakout · liberation · release · extricate · loosen · unbuckle · dislocate · flexibility
Limiting condition or rule
- limitationBound on extent
- rigidityState of being unbending
- conformityAdherence to norms
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
bureaucracy · stifling · oppressive · restrictive · suffocating · inflexible · dogma · ideology
straitjacket
Garment restricting arm movement
- bindingLegally or morally required
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
confinement · constraint · restriction · containment · fetters · manacles · encumbrance · trammel · captivity · bondage
lunacy
Extreme irrational foolishness
- insanitySevere mental illness
- derangementDisturbed mental state
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
delirium · hysteria · unhinged · crazed · demented · frenzy · violent · dangerous · episode · breakdown
asylum
Shelter from persecution
- sanitariumMedical recovery facility
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
- padded cellFoam-lined isolation chamber
ward · sedation · psychosis · therapy · treatment · psychiatric · mental hospital · commitment · patient · orderly
struggle
Labored effort against resistance
- wriggleTwisting, snakelike movement
- HoudiniFamous escape artist
- escapologyArt of freeing oneself
contortionist · breakout · liberation · release · extricate · loosen · unbuckle · dislocate · flexibility · unlock
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- limitationBound on extent
- rigidityState of being unbending
- conformityAdherence to norms
orthodoxy · bureaucracy · stifling · oppressive · restrictive · suffocating · inflexible · dogma · ideology · tradition
straight jacketfreedom of movement
Liberty to travel unimpeded
loose clothing · unfettered · unbound · liberation · release
straight jacketcreative freedom
Liberty in artistic expression
carte blanche · free rein · autonomy · flexibility · liberation
straight, jacket, straights, straighter, straightest, straighten, straightens, straightened, straightening