over a barrel

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Yes, we want a free trade deal with the EU, but any deal must be fair. The days of being held over a barrel by Brussels are long gone,” Raab told the Conservative Party’s annual conference.

From Reuters

"The days of being held over a barrel by Brussels… are long gone," the foreign secretary said.

From BBC

“Yes, we want a Free Trade deal with the EU, but any deal must be fair. The days of being held over a barrel by Brussels are long gone,” Raab said in a speech broadcast on Saturday as part of the Conservative Party’s annual conference.

From Reuters

“At this point, they have us over a barrel,” said Victoria Perez, an assistant professor of public and environmental affairs at Indiana University.

From Los Angeles Times

I know that parents are over a barrel these days, what with work, kids and anxiety, but a child’s body is meant to run.

From Washington Post