The hogtie is a method of tying the limb

Limb (anatomy)

A limb is a jointed, or prehensile , appendage of the human or other animal body....

s together, rendering the subject immobile and helpless. Originally, it was applied to pig

Pig

A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...

s (hence the name) and other young four-legged animals.

Details

The hogtie when used on pig

Pig

A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...

s and cattle

Cattle

Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...

has the limbs tied in front; it is not possible to tie them behind without harming the animal. When performed on a human, however, a hogtie is any position that results in the arms and legs being bound, both tied behind the person and then connecting the hands and feet.
They are also used by humans on other humans to play a prank but can cause severe injure.

Use in torture

A particularly dangerous variation of the hogtie has been used to torture and kill its victim: the hands are tied behind the back and the feet are tied together, with one end of the rope around the victim's neck. The tension on the neck-rope can only be relieved if the victim keeps their neck, back and legs arched; eventually, the victim tires and strangles.

Figurative use

The term may also apply figuratively to an instance where a person has said or done something which has unpleasant consequences, and from which they are unable to escape.