binding hand and foot; trussing up
Physical binding of a person's limbs so they cannot move. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts.
捕まった泥棒はがんじがらめに縛られた。
The captured thief was bound hand and foot.
tied down; shackled; restricted
Figurative use: being constrained by rules, obligations, or circumstances so that one has no freedom of action.
規則でがんじがらめになって、自由に動けない。
I'm tied down by rules and can't move freely.