معنی
To limit one's own freedom.
زمینه فرهنگی
In the 1990s, this phrase was often used literally in the context of 'banditry'. Today, it has returned to its figurative sense, often used to describe the 'administrative barrier' (административный барьер) that small businesses face. Classic Russian authors like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy used this imagery to describe the 'moral traps' their characters fell into. It often represents a spiritual crisis where a character's past sins or social standing prevent them from acting on their true desires. During the Soviet period, this phrase was frequently used in propaganda to describe the 'oppression of the working class in capitalist countries,' though it was also used privately by citizens to describe the restrictions of the state itself. In modern Moscow or St. Petersburg, the phrase is most commonly heard in the context of 'mortgage slavery' (ипотечное рабство). It reflects the shift from political to financial constraints in the modern Russian consciousness.
Use with 'оказаться'
Combine with 'оказаться' (to find oneself) to sound more natural when describing an unexpected trap: 'Я оказался связан по рукам и ногам'.
Don't use for 'busy'
If you just have a lot of emails, don't use this. It's for serious, life-altering or business-altering constraints.
معنی
To limit one's own freedom.
Use with 'оказаться'
Combine with 'оказаться' (to find oneself) to sound more natural when describing an unexpected trap: 'Я оказался связан по рукам и ногам'.
Don't use for 'busy'
If you just have a lot of emails, don't use this. It's for serious, life-altering or business-altering constraints.
The 'Volya' connection
Remember that this idiom is the opposite of 'воля' (free will/vast freedom). Using it conveys a deep sense of frustration.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the correct form of the nouns 'рука' and 'нога'.
Этот контракт связал нас по ______ и ______.
The preposition 'по' in this idiom requires the Dative plural case.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
В какой ситуации уместно сказать: 'Я связан по рукам и ногам'?
The idiom refers to long-term or serious restrictions on freedom of action, like a non-compete clause.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
— Почему ты не уволишься? — Не могу, я ______ ипотекой.
The speaker is male (implied by 'уволишься' in neutral context or 'связан'), so the masculine past passive participle is used.
Match the phrase variation to its intensity.
Match: 1. Связать руки, 2. Связать по рукам и ногам
Adding 'feet' to the idiom increases the sense of total immobilization.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Intensity Scale
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاЭтот контракт связал нас по ______ и ______.
The preposition 'по' in this idiom requires the Dative plural case.
В какой ситуации уместно сказать: 'Я связан по рукам и ногам'?
The idiom refers to long-term or serious restrictions on freedom of action, like a non-compete clause.
— Почему ты не уволишься? — Не могу, я ______ ипотекой.
The speaker is male (implied by 'уволишься' in neutral context or 'связан'), so the masculine past passive participle is used.
Match: 1. Связать руки, 2. Связать по рукам и ногам
Adding 'feet' to the idiom increases the sense of total immobilization.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNo, unless you are literally tied up. For being stiff or unable to move in sports, use 'скованный' or 'неповоротливый'.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to describe a difficult contractual situation, though 'ограничен в действиях' is more neutral.
'Связать руки' is like 'my hands are tied' (specific task). 'Связать по рукам и ногам' is total paralysis of action.
Yes: 'Эта ситуация связывает меня по рукам и ногам' (This situation is tying me hand and foot).
A more casual way to say this is 'попасть на счётчик' (specifically for debt) or 'быть в завязке' (though that usually means quitting alcohol). There isn't a direct slang equivalent that captures the same 'binding' imagery.
Almost never. It is nearly always used to express a negative restriction, though occasionally it can be used for 'positive' things like being 'bound by love,' but even then it implies a loss of freedom.
In Russian, 'po' + Dative often indicates the area over which an action is distributed. Here, the 'binding' is distributed over the hands and feet.
Native speakers will understand you, but it sounds 'off'. The standard order is always hands then feet.
Very often! Especially when discussing sanctions, new laws, or economic crises.
You would use the antonym: 'У меня развязаны руки' (My hands are untied).
عبارات مرتبط
связать руки
similarTo prevent someone from acting.
попасть в кабалу
specialized formTo fall into total dependence (usually financial).
развязать руки
contrastTo give someone freedom of action.
вставлять палки в колёса
similarTo put a spoke in someone's wheel (to sabotage).
сидеть сложа руки
similarTo sit idly with hands folded.
