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golden handcuffs

[gohl-duhn hand-kuhfs] / ˈgoʊl dən ˈhændˌkʌfs /


Example Sentences

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In the United States, employees often get stock options, a form of so-called "golden handcuffs" allowing workers to profit from share price gains over a set period of time.

From Barron's ● May 28, 2026

“The golden handcuffs aren’t so golden anymore,” said Stephanie Geveda, who previously oversaw business-services investing at private-equity firm Warburg Pincus.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

According to Leo Peak, a real estate agent at Peak Family Real Estate Group, many homeowners are currently feeling the "golden handcuffs" effect of being locked into their homes by historically low mortgage rates.

From Salon ● Apr. 5, 2025

“Because of high interest rates,” he said, “there’s no mobility out of rental situations to buy homes. Everyone is stuck — homeowners with golden handcuffs, renters basically with unadorned handcuffs.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2024

Ruggedo had no fear of Files or Ozga, but to be on the safe side he had ordered golden handcuffs placed upon their wrists.

From Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum


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