掣せい肘ちゅう

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb

restraint; restriction; control; check

Formal, somewhat literary term for holding someone back or keeping something in check. Often used in political, organizational, or abstract contexts. The literal image is of pulling someone's elbow to restrain them.

• 官かん僚りょうの掣せい肘ちゅうがなければ、改かい革かくはもっと早はやく進すすむだろう。

  Without bureaucratic restraint, the reforms would probably proceed more quickly.

• 彼かれは部ぶ下かの行こう動どうを掣せい肘ちゅうしようとしたが、うまくいかなかった。

  He tried to check his subordinates' actions, but it didn't go well.