The word 束手就擒 is formed by combining the phrase 束手, meaning "to bind one's hands", with 就擒, meaning "to submit to capture". The character 束 (bind) acts on 手 (hands) to indicate self-restraint, while 就 (approach) directs toward 擒 (capture), creating a literal sequence where binding one's hands leads directly to being captured, thus conveying surrender through inaction.