your hands are tied

I want to help you, but your hands are tied by the contract

She'd love to promote him, but her hands are tied by company policy

The manager wishes he could give everyone a raise, but his hands are tied by budget constraints

We'd like to accept your proposal, but our hands are tied at the moment

He's frustrated because his hands are tied; he can't make any decisions

The judge wants to be lenient, but his hands are tied by the law

She feels like her hands are tied when it comes to changing the system

The government's hands are tied regarding immediate aid for the disaster

I can't tell you anything more, my hands are tied

He tried to intervene, but his hands were tied by his supervisor