straitjacket
gb/stɹˈeɪtd͡ʒˌækət/ us/stɹˈeɪtd͡ʒˌækət/
English
Senses
0 senses
unknown
B2
entity
1
jacket that restrains movement
A very strong jacket that holds a person’s arms so they cannot move them, used in the past to control people in mental hospitals; also used to talk about something that limits freedom very strongly.
Examples
- The film showed an old asylum where patients were put in a straitjacket.
- They argued that the new law is a straitjacket on free speech.
- Some teachers feel the strict curriculum is a straitjacket in the classroom.
Grammar
Dictionary form
straitjacket
IPA
GB/stɹˈeɪtd͡ʒˌækət/
US/stɹˈeɪtd͡ʒˌækət/
Syllables & stress
strait - jack - et (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (strait)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: straitjacket
- Plural: straitjackets
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.