1. putting handcuffs on someone; restraining someone with handcuffs
2. restricting or limiting someone's freedom or ability to act
Usage: figurative

1. the act or process of putting handcuffs on someone

Examples

• The police officer was handcuffing the suspect after the arrest.
• The new regulations are handcuffing small businesses with excessive paperwork.
• Handcuffing violent offenders is standard procedure at the station.
• The company felt handcuffed by outdated technology that slowed productivity.
• Security guards practiced proper handcuffing techniques during training.
• Budget cuts are handcuffing the school's ability to hire more teachers.