Ball and chain

Ball and chain

A ball and chain is a physical restraint device historically used on prisoners.

Ball and chain may also refer to:
* a physical restraint consisting of a large, heavy metal ball with a chain attached to a prisoner's leg by a manacle.
* a significant other, usually pejoratively, derived from the reference above.
* Flail (weapon), a medieval weapon with a spiked ball attached to a handle by a chain.
* Ball & Chain, a 2004 romantic comedy written by Thomas Mortimer
* Ball & Chain (film), starring Kal Penn.
* "Ball and Chain (Social Distortion song)", a 1990 song by Social Distortion from their album "Social Distortion"
* "Ball and Chain (Big Mama Thornton song)", a song by Big Mama Thornton, covered by Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company.
* "Make This Love Right", a single by house music producer Romanthony.
* "Ball and Chain", a song by Colin Moulding with XTC.
* "Ball and Chain", a song by Elton John from his 1982 album "Jump Up!", also released as a single.
* "Ball and Chain", a song by the band Sublime.
* "Ball and Chain", a song by Poison from their 1990 album "Flesh and Blood".
* "Lucky Ball and Chain", a song by They Might Be Giants from their 1990 album "Flood".
* "Ball And Chain", a song by Murder By Death from their album Red Of Tooth And Claw.


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ball and chain — n [singular] 1.) something that limits your freedom and stops you from doing what you want to do ▪ The lower tech side of the business was seen as a ball and chain. 2.) a heavy metal ball on a chain, tied to a prisoner s legs, to stop the… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • ball and chain — ball′ and chain′ n. 1) a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s leg 2) off sts sl.: disp. and off. a wife • usage: Definition 2 is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as insulting. It implies that the woman is domineering …   From formal English to slang

  • ball and chain — ☆ ball and chain n. a metal ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s body to prevent escape …   English World dictionary

  • ball and chain — a type of prisoner s restraint, 1818; as one s wife, 1920 …   Etymology dictionary

  • ball and chain — 1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s leg. 2. burdensome restraint: The steady accumulation of small debts was a ball and chain to his progress. 3. Slang (disparaging and offensive). a man s wife (often used facetiously). [1825 …   Universalium

  • ball and chain — n. a wife; a girlfriend. (Mostly jocular.) □ I’ve got to get home to my ball and chain. □ My ball and chain is mad at me …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • ball and chain — noun a) A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoners leg by a chain as a means of restraint. Take away this ball and chain. b) Ones wife, as a symbol of restraint …   Wiktionary

  • ball and chain — noun 1. a heavy iron ball fastened by a chain to a prisoner s leg. 2. any restraint. –phrase 3. the old ball and chain, Colloquial one s wife …  

  • ball and chain —    This term refers to a burden or problem that ties you down and prevents you from doing what you want. It can also refer to one s spouse.    Our holiday home has become a ball and chain it s too much work! …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • ball-and-chain — n Marriage. I m too young to put on the ball and chain. 1980s …   Historical dictionary of American slang

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