Pronunciation: /ˈstreɪtdʒakɪt/
(also straightjacket)
noun
-
a strong garment with long sleeves which can be tied together to confine the arms of a violent prisoner or mental patient.
-
a severe restriction on freedom of action, development, or expression: the government is operating in an economic straitjacket
verb (straitjackets, straitjacketing, straitjacketed)
[with object]-
restrain with a straitjacket.
-
impose severely restrictive measures on (a person or activity): the treaty should not be used as a tool to straitjacket international trade
