bound by duty

Meaning

This expression describes a state where someone feels a strong moral, legal, or professional obligation to act in a certain way, regardless of their personal preferences. It implies that honor, ethics, or rules leave them with no choice but to perform their task.

Examples

• As a doctor, she felt bound by duty to treat the injured man despite the dangerous conditions.

  As a doctor, she felt bound by duty to treat the injured man despite the dangerous conditions.

• The police officers were bound by duty to uphold the law without showing any personal bias.

  The police officers were bound by duty to uphold the law without showing any personal bias.

• He did not want to testify against his friend, but he was bound by duty to tell the truth in court.

  He did not want to testify against his friend, but he was bound by duty to tell the truth in court.

• Bound by duty, the soldiers remained at their posts until the relief force arrived.

  Bound by duty, the soldiers remained at their posts until the relief force arrived.

• The board of directors is bound by duty to protect the financial interests of the shareholders.

  The board of directors is bound by duty to protect the financial interests of the shareholders.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She was bound with duty to report the incident.

  ✓ She was bound by duty to report the incident.

  The correct preposition to use with 'bound' in this context of obligation is 'by', not 'with' or 'to'.

• ✗ He felt binded by duty to help them.

  ✓ He felt bound by duty to help them.

  'Bound' is the irregular past participle of 'bind'. 'Binded' is grammatically incorrect.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Public officials are ___ to act in the best interest of the citizens they represent.

  💡 Morally or legally obligated.

  Show answer

  bound by duty

• Though it was a difficult decision, the judge was ___ to follow the letter of the law.

  💡 Obligated by professional ethics.

  Show answer

  bound by duty