The phrase "art obliged" may seem confusing in terms of its spelling. However, it can be broken down phonetically as /ɑːt əˈblaɪdʒd/ (art uh-blahyjd) which means "are obliged." The use of the archaic form of "art" instead of "are" can be traced back to the Middle English period. Despite its uncommon spelling, "art obliged" is still used in some formal and literary contexts, conveying a sense of obligation or duty.