# hamstring

/ˈhæmˌstɹɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈæmstɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hamstring
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to restrict or hinder

verb · CEFR B2

to make it very difficult for someone to do something or for a plan to work.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. leg muscle

noun · CEFR B2

one of the three muscles at the back of your thigh.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to physically disable

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to injure a person or animal by cutting the tendons at the back of the knee.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The new rules hamstring our ability to finish the project on time.
- Small businesses are often hamstrung by complex tax laws that require expensive legal advice to navigate.
- The administration found itself hamstrung by a series of legislative compromises that effectively neutralized its most ambitious environmental policies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.