cuff

Examples

• All

• The security team used a pair of cuffs to restrain the vandal until the police arrived.

• You want me to put the cuffs on him?

  Gremlins (1984)

• Put cuffs on him, will you Jim?

  Moonshine County Express (1977)

• Those cuffs on your belt... take them off and lock your partner's hands behind his back.

  The Hitcher (1986)

• The local politician was already in cuffs in the car.

• Be aware that the machine will beep and the cuff will tighten when measurements are being taken.

  Academic text (2012)

• The police officer placed the suspect in cuffs before taking him to the station.

• After a lengthy pursuit, the man was finally apprehended and put in cuffs by the authorities.

Synonyms

S

shackle

vscuff

57 7.1

A metal U-shaped clamp used to join heavy things together

is limited to a wrist band used mainly to restrain hands

H

handcuff

vscuff

14 3.2

A metal ring that locks around a wrist used by police to stop someone moving

is a broader name not limited to law enforcement use

M

manacle

vscuff

5 8.6

A metal ring that locks around a wrist to stop someone moving

is the general modern term rather than an older or formal one

I

irons

vscuff

• Archaic

3 7.7

Metal cuffs that hold a prisoner's hands or legs together

is specific to wrist bands and not usually for leg restraints

H

handlock

vscuff

• Archaic

9.9

A metal loop that fastens around each wrist to stop the hands moving

is the common general term for that wrist restraint

Idioms

O

off the cuff

• Informal

11 6.3

Said or done without planning first

Compounds

R

rotator cuff

• Specialized

10 5.1

A group of muscles and tendons around the shoulder that hold the upper arm bone in its socket

O

off-the-cuff

3 7.2

Said or done without planning beforehand

E

ear cuff

1 4.9

A piece of jewelry that sits on the outer edge of the ear without making a hole

T

trouser cuff

• UK

1 3.5

A turned-up edge at the bottom of a pant leg

How Restrictive

shackle

57 7.1

cuff

134 5.6

wristband

23 2.1

bracelet

234 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology