As an expert in linguistics and idioms, I can provide you with a detailed explanation of the idiom "ball and chain."
The idiom "ball and chain" originally referred to a heavy weight attached to a prisoner's leg to restrict their movement. Over time, this term has come to be used figuratively to describe anything that feels like a burden or a restriction on one's freedom, particularly in the context of relationships. When someone says they feel like they have a "ball and chain," they are expressing a sense of being tied down or weighed down by a responsibility or obligation.
Here's the explanation with the key term highlighted: The
ball and chain is an idiom that represents a feeling of being burdened or restricted, often in the context of personal relationships.
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