shackle together

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shackle together" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts discussing confinement or restriction, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "The prisoners were shackled together to prevent any chance of escape."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Egypt said it was trying to shackle together a cease-fire to halt the violence, but truce hopes seemed distant.

Independent

Roberts's new novel, Jack Glass, is subtitled "The Story of a Murderer", and in surrounding material the author tells us that it is an attempt to shackle together the golden age of detective fiction with the golden age of SF, with more of the former than the latter.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Often, they said, they were shackled together in groups as their armed captors kept them under guard.

The New York Times

But they were often shackled together, and they were always looking down the barrel of possible death.

The New York Times

Wilson's characters are shackled together by something greater than poverty; their bondage is to the caprices of history.

The New Yorker

Monetary union has shackled together nations with vastly different economies, depriving them of an independent monetary policy that can help them through rough times.

The New York Times

He was surrounded by people accused and convicted of serious felonies, his hands shackled to his waist and his feet shackled together.

The New York Times

The image belongs more in the past than in the present: convicts, shackled together by leg irons, laboring by the roadside.

The New York Times

Shackled together and released just in time for Halloween, these two classic BBC ghost stories have lost none of their power to jangle your nerves.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The diapers are used for sanitary reasons during transportations, and as a means to humiliate the prisoner … the prisoner's hands are shackled together as are his feet.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Wilcox, the last straw came this February, when Arpaio marched more than two hundred undocumented immigrants, shackled together, to a new tent jail, parading them before news cameras.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shackle together", ensure the context clearly implies a restrictive or involuntary connection. If the restrictive aspect is not essential, consider alternatives like "bind together" or "link together".

Common error

Avoid using "shackle together" when simply describing a connection or union without any implication of force or restriction. Opt for more neutral terms like "connect", "link", or "join" to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shackle together" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of forcibly connecting or restricting elements. It suggests a lack of freedom in the association. Ludwig shows limited examples, reflecting its infrequent use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shackle together" is a relatively rare verb phrase used to describe a forceful or restrictive connection, as highlighted by the limited examples found by Ludwig. While Ludwig AI flags the phrase as acceptable, careful consideration should be given to the context to ensure the implication of restriction is intentional. Alternative phrases such as "bind together" or "chain together" may be more appropriate in neutral contexts. Predominantly found in news and academic sources, "shackle together" carries a formal tone and is best reserved for situations where the restrictive nature of the connection is central to the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bind together

Focuses on the act of joining or uniting, often physically, with less emphasis on restriction than "shackle together".

chain together

Implies a physical connection using chains, similar to "shackle together" but more literal and less metaphorical.

tie together

Suggests a less forceful connection, often used for abstract relationships or elements that are linked but not necessarily restricted.

connect forcibly

Emphasizes the act of connecting against resistance or without consent.

link forcibly

Is similar to connect, but focusing on the joining aspect.

force into association

Highlights the involuntary nature of the connection, often used in abstract or social contexts.

yoke together

Implies a close and often burdensome connection, like animals under a yoke, suggesting shared labor or hardship.

constrain to unity

Focuses on limiting freedom to achieve a unified state or outcome.

compel to join

Suggests a forceful urging or command to unite or associate.

merge involuntarily

Emphasizes the lack of choice in the merging or uniting of elements.

FAQs

How can I use "shackle together" in a sentence?

You can use "shackle together" to describe a forced or restrictive connection. For example, "The monetary union has "shackled together" nations with vastly different economies" indicates that the connection is potentially detrimental.

What phrases are similar to "shackle together"?

Similar phrases include "bind together", "chain together", and "tie together", each carrying slightly different connotations of restriction and connection.

Is "shackle together" the same as "bind together"?

"Shackle together" implies a forceful and often unwelcome connection, whereas "bind together" can suggest a voluntary or mutually beneficial union. The former emphasizes restriction, the latter, cohesion.

When is it appropriate to use "shackle together" instead of "connect together"?

Use "shackle together" when you want to emphasize that the connection is imposed, restrictive, and potentially detrimental. "Connect together" is a more neutral term that simply indicates a link or association.