Signification
Being unable to act.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often a 'social lubricant' used to avoid conflict. By saying your hands are tied, you signal that you are not personally rejecting the person, but rather the system is. In Japan, the equivalent 'Te mo ashi mo denai' is often used to express deep shame or apology for being unable to meet an expectation. In American corporate culture, 'my hands are tied' is often seen as a sign of a lack of empowerment, and employees are encouraged to 'break the ties' or find workarounds. Germans use this phrase with great precision regarding legal contracts. If a contract is signed, the hands are truly 'gebunden'.
The 'Blame Shifter'
Use this phrase when you are in a customer service role to immediately lower the tension with an angry customer.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'mani legati'. Even advanced students make this mistake because 'mani' looks masculine.
Signification
Being unable to act.
The 'Blame Shifter'
Use this phrase when you are in a customer service role to immediately lower the tension with an angry customer.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'mani legati'. Even advanced students make this mistake because 'mani' looks masculine.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the adjective 'legato'.
Mi dispiace, ma in questa situazione ho le mani _______.
'Mani' is feminine plural, so the adjective must be 'legate'.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'avere le mani legate'?
Scenario: You want to give a refund to a customer, but the computer system won't allow it.
'Mani legate' is used when rules or systems prevent you from acting.
Match the speaker to the reason their hands are tied.
1. Poliziotto, 2. Impiegato, 3. Figlio
Police need warrants, employees follow procedures, and children need parental permission.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
When are your hands tied?
Work
- • Budget limits
- • Boss says no
- • Company policy
Law
- • No permit
- • Privacy rules
- • Contracts
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesMi dispiace, ma in questa situazione ho le mani _______.
'Mani' is feminine plural, so the adjective must be 'legate'.
Scenario: You want to give a refund to a customer, but the computer system won't allow it.
'Mani legate' is used when rules or systems prevent you from acting.
1. Poliziotto, 2. Impiegato, 3. Figlio
Police need warrants, employees follow procedures, and children need parental permission.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsNot really. It's better to say 'sono bloccato nel traffico'. 'Mani legate' implies a rule or authority is stopping you, not just bad luck.
No, it's actually quite common. It shows you understand the constraints of your job.
Expressions liées
avere le mani in pasta
similarTo be involved in something (often influential).
avere le mani bucate
contrastTo spend money very easily (hands with holes).
lavarsene le mani
similarTo wash one's hands of a situation (to refuse responsibility).
