ball and chain

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

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 Terms (disparaging and offensive). a man's wife (often used facetiously).
• 1825–35, American.