hamstring
B2Formal, literary, news/journalism, sports.
Definition
Meaning
To severely hinder, cripple, or disable by cutting the hamstring tendons at the back of the knee; to severely limit effectiveness.
To severely weaken or undermine the operational capacity of a person, organization, or system.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originated as a literal verb for crippling an animal or enemy by cutting leg tendons; now predominantly metaphorical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term similarly. The literal meaning might be slightly more associated with veterinary/agricultural contexts in the UK.
Connotations
Conveys a decisive, often ruthless, action that removes capability.
Frequency
More common in written news and analytical prose than in everyday conversation in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] hamstrung [Object] (with/by [Instrument/Cause])Be hamstrung by [Cause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be hamstrung by bureaucracy/red tape.”
- “A hamstrung economy.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe how regulations or lack of funding cripple a company's operations.
Academic
Used in political science or economics to describe the debilitating effect of policies or constraints.
Everyday
Rare in casual chat; might be used in discussing sports injuries or major frustrations.
Technical
Used in sports medicine for the muscle group; in military/security contexts for disabling tactics.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new data protection laws could hamstring our research initiatives.
- He was hamstrung by a lack of investor confidence.
American English
- The injury hamstrung the team's playoff chances.
- The agency is hamstrung by conflicting mandates from Congress.
adjective
British English
- The hamstrung department struggled to meet its targets.
- They presented a hamstrung budget, full of compromises.
American English
- A hamstrung regulatory body failed to act in time.
- The CEO took over a hamstrung organization.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His injury hamstrung the team's performance.
- Bad weather hamstrung our travel plans.
- The sudden shortage of components hamstrung production for weeks.
- The company was hamstrung by its enormous debt.
- The prime minister's hands were tied, his agenda hamstrung by a rebellious coalition.
- Archaeological work is often hamstrung by inadequate funding and bureaucratic delays.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HAMpered STRING – a vital string (tendon) that is hampered/cut, leaving you unable to run.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER/ABILITY IS PHYSICAL LOCOMOTION (to hamstring is to cut the tendons of progress).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'подколенное сухожилие' (the noun for the tendon). The verb 'hamstring' is 'подрезать крылья' (clip wings) or 'парализовать' (paralyse) metaphorically.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hamstring' as a noun to mean 'obstacle' (incorrect: 'The budget was a hamstring.').
- Confusing past tense 'hamstrung' with 'hamstringed' (the latter is non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hamstring' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the standard and correct past tense and past participle is 'hamstrung'. 'Hamstringed' is considered non-standard and best avoided.
Yes, but with a different, anatomical meaning. As a noun, it refers to any of the five tendons at the back of the human knee, or to the large muscle group at the back of the thigh (e.g., 'He pulled a hamstring'). The metaphorical verb meaning is distinct from this noun.
Not in casual, spoken English. It is more common in formal writing, news analysis, sports commentary (for the injury), and academic texts. For everyday hindrance, words like 'stop', 'hinder', or 'hold back' are more frequent.
'Hamstring' is stronger and more vivid. It suggests a crippling or devastating blow to capabilities, often from a single action or constraint. 'Hinder' is more general and milder, meaning to create delay or difficulty.
Explore