Any attempt to reduce people to one standard, one way of thinking, one way of acting, or allowing no choice but to conform to specific requirements: "When Luisa joined the company, she felt as if she were being placed on Procrustes’ bed because of all of the rules that were being enforced on her to fulfill."

In Greek legend, Procrustes placed all who fell into his hands on an iron bed. If they were longer than the bed, he cut off the overhanging parts; if shorter, he stretched them until they fit the bed.