ball and chain

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

“I didn’t even know he was married.”
“Married? You can hear than the chain and ball clanking! (J. Lindsay, "The Subtle Knot")

ball and chain = a burden and restraint, marital chain, marriage bonds

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

[riquecohen]

Dear teachers,

Would you tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

“I didn’t even know he was married.”
“Married? You can hear than the chain and ball clanking! (J. Lindsay, "The Subtle Knot")

ball and chain = a burden and restraint, marital chain, marriage bonds

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

Used jokingly to refer to a significant other, most often a wife. I would not say that a burden is necessarily implied.