Shackles

Shackles are restraints, typically made of metal, used to secure a person's wrists or ankles, restricting their freedom of movement. Figuratively, shackles can represent any constraint that limits someone's liberty, whether physical, emotional, or societal. They symbolize oppression, imprisonment, and a lack of autonomy. The term evokes a sense of confinement and a struggle for liberation. shackles can also refer to figurative constraints such as burdening financial debt, limiting belief systems, or oppressive societal expectations that bind an individual and prevent them from reaching their full potential.

Shackles meaning with examples

• The prisoners, their hands bound by rusty shackles, shuffled slowly toward their cells, their faces etched with despair. The clang of the metal echoed in the cold corridor, a constant reminder of their captivity and loss of freedom. The harsh conditions and complete lack of autonomy further fueled their desire for escape.
• Though the politician proclaimed his freedom, the relentless demands of his constituents, media, and donors formed an invisible shackle, limiting his choices and forcing him into politically strategic stances that might be at odds with his own values.
• After years of struggling with debilitating anxiety, Sarah found herself breaking free from the mental shackles that had imprisoned her for so long. Therapy and self-reflection allowed her to build confidence and live without the constraints of fear, ultimately embracing a new lease on life.
• Generations of slavery left the descendants of enslaved people battling the emotional shackles that lingered. Despite the abolition of the physical institution, the remnants of trauma and societal inequality continued to bind and restrict their opportunities, limiting their true potential.
• For decades, her financial woes and accumulating debt acted as harsh shackles on her, restricting her choices. Her ability to live a stress-free life was minimal and prevented her from pursuing her dreams. It was a struggle to finally gain financial freedom and a greater sense of security