Word
hamstring
Phoneticsham·string, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhæmˌstɹɪŋ/
UK/hˈæmstɹɪŋ/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
hamstring
Past
hamstrung
Past participle
hamstrung
Definitions
01to restrict or hinder
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make it very difficult for someone to do something or for a plan to work.
v. to severely restrict the efficiency or effectiveness of a person, organisation, or process. Transitive; frequently used in political or business contexts.
“The company was hamstrung by a lack of funding and could not finish the project.”
“The new regulations effectively hamstrung the small business, preventing them from competing with larger corporations that had more legal resources.”
Antonyms
02leg muscle
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. one of the three muscles at the back of your thigh.
n. any of the three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to flex the knee and extend the hip.
“The athlete had to stop running after he pulled his hamstring during the race.”
“The surgeon explained that a complete tear of the medial hamstring would require several months of intensive physical therapy to regain full mobility.”
03to physically disable
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
v. to injure a person or animal by cutting the tendons at the back of the knee.
v. to cripple by cutting the tendons of the ham. Historically used in reference to livestock or combat; now rare outside of historical or literary contexts.
“In the old story, the knight hamstrung his enemy's horse to stop him from escaping.”
“The ancient text describes how the retreating army hamstrung their pack animals to ensure the pursuing forces could not utilise them.”
Synonyms
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. While it originates from the anatomical noun, in modern usage it is predominantly used figuratively.
Pitfall
The project was hamstringed by the budget.
The project was hamstrung by the budget.
The past tense and past participle of the verb 'hamstring' is 'hamstrung', not 'hamstringed'.
Real-World Examples
“There were calf and hamstring issues but also a feeling Erik ten Hag rushed him back too quickly.” “He is only a tweaked hamstring away from playing in a Test at Lord's on Thursday.” Etymology
From ham (“region back of the knee joint”) + string.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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