Here's a breakdown:
* "Hands" refers to your ability to act or take action.
* "Tied" signifies being restrained or bound, preventing you from moving freely.
Example:
* "I wish I could help you, but my hands are tied. My boss has given me strict instructions not to approve any more requests."
The idiom suggests that:
* You are powerless to act due to external constraints.
* There is something preventing you from making a choice or taking a course of action.
* You may feel frustrated or helpless because you cannot do what you want or need to do.
Other ways to express the same meaning:
* You are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
* You have your hands full.
* You are under a lot of pressure.
* You are powerless to act.