Chain of command

Not easy to keep the mind focussed on serious concerns, when phrases like chain of command pop up. Binding—in case, what? Manacles of command? Handcuffs of command? Or the anchor chain, or the chain dangling from a toilet cistern, what would happen if you yanked the chain of command? Command would sluice the bowl, flush away the turds of insubordination, or disorganisation, or whatever it is command is supposedly prophylactic against.