In figurative phrases. to tie the hands of: to deprive of freedom of action. to tie the knot: to effect a union between two persons or things; esp.…

To force into or overtake in a position from which escape is difficult; to ‘corner’, ‘nail’. literal and figurative.

Hunting. To bring to bay. Also figurative.

figurative. To put into a position of difficulty or embarrassment. colloquial. (Chiefly U.S.)

to drive into a corner: to force into a difficult position from which there is no escape; to drive into straits; to put in a ‘fix’ or in a ‘tight…

Golf. passive. figurative (colloquial). To be placed in a situation from which it is difficult to extricate oneself. Also, to place in such a…

of grass, wool, hair, down, etc. to get by the short hairs: see to get (a person) by the short hairs at hair, n. phrases 15. Also, in same sense…

to box (a person, esp. oneself) into a corner: to force (a person) into a situation from which it is not easy to escape; to oblige (a person) to…