Definition

1. Verb (past tense and past participle of ):
   • To cripple by cutting the hamstring tendons: Literally, to disable an animal (such as a horse) by severing the large tendon at the back of the knee, making it unable to walk or run.
   • To hinder or disable severely: Figuratively, to impede or weaken someone or something so that they cannot function effectively.

Usage Examples

• (Literally: the tendon was cut, causing lameness.)
• (Figuratively: the project was severely hindered due to insufficient resources.)
• (Figuratively: the regulations greatly restricted the company's operations.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be hamstrung by bureaucracy": to be severely limited or disabled by excessive administrative rules.
  • The charity was hamstrung by endless paperwork and red tape. (The charity's effectiveness was crippled by bureaucratic obstacles.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hamstring (noun): the tendon at the back of the knee in humans or the corresponding tendon in animals.

  • He pulled his hamstring while sprinting. (He injured the tendon at the back of his thigh.)

• Hamstring (verb, base form): to disable or hinder as described above.

  • They tried to hamstring the opposition by cutting their budget. (They attempted to cripple the opposition's efforts.)

Synonyms

• Cripple: to cause severe damage or disablement.
• Impair: to weaken or damage the function of something.
• Paralyze: to render unable to move or function.
• Thwart: to prevent from achieving a goal.

Phrasal Verbs

• Hamstring (someone): (used as a single verb, not a phrasal verb) to cripple or hinder.
  • The strike hamstrung the entire transportation system. (The strike disabled the system.)

Related Idioms

• Cut the ground from under someone: to weaken someone's position or argument.

  • The new evidence hamstrung his defense by cutting the ground from under him. (The evidence severely weakened his defense.)

• Tie someone's hands: to restrict someone's ability to act.

  • The strict rules hamstrung the manager, tying his hands in negotiations. (The rules limited the manager's options.)