# golden handcuffs

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/golden-handcuffs
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage a participant from choosing to leave it, especially to retain a choice employee in a role that is unpleasant to them.

## Examples

- He stays in his boring job because of the golden handcuffs.
- The company offered a massive bonus to keep her, but she felt trapped by these golden handcuffs.
- Despite his desire to pursue a more creative career, the executive remained tethered to the firm by the weight of his golden handcuffs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.