dead hand
📖 Definitions
noun
1. The stifling influence of something, especially of the past on the present.
2. The perpetual ownership of property by institutions, such as churches.
💬 Usage Examples
“If the corona curves continue to crest, Covid-19 might expose as much about the dead hand of capitalism (the corruption, the hubris, the greed) as Chernobyl ever did about communism.” Ben Schott; Diary; The Spectator (London, UK); Apr 4, 2020.