hamstrung — having been severely restricted or impeded in effectiveness or progress
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: having been severely restricted or impeded in effectiveness or progress
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhæmstrʌŋ/
Example Sentences
- The superhero was hamstrung by his promise never to lie, even when saving the world required a tiny fib.
- The brilliant chef was hamstrung by the restaurant's tiny budget and could only afford ramen noodles.
- The peace negotiations were hamstrung by mutual distrust between the two countries.
hamstrung
ADJECTIVE[/ˈhæmstrʌŋ/]
having been severely restricted or impeded in effectiveness or progress
a construction worker stands next to a large excavator that has thick chains wrapped around its tracks and arm. The worker gestures helplessly at the immobilized machine while holding blueprints. The chains are padlocked to concrete barriers that completely prevent any movement of the equipment. A project deadline calendar shows dates passing while the excavator remains completely unable to function. Other workers gather around pointing at the chained machinery with concerned expressions. the construction project being severely restricted and impeded from making any effectiveness or progress
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'hamm' (back of the knee) + 'string' (tendon). Originally meant to cut the hamstring tendon of horses or cattle to disable them, later extended metaphorically to mean 'to cripple or disable.'
Breakdown
ham (back of knee/thigh) + string (tendon/cord) - literally 'the string/tendon at the back of the knee'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The superhero was hamstrung by his promise never to lie, even when saving the world required a tiny fib.”
“The brilliant chef was hamstrung by the restaurant's tiny budget and could only afford ramen noodles.”
“The peace negotiations were hamstrung by mutual distrust between the two countries.”
“His dating life was hamstrung by his mother's insistence on chaperoning every date.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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