hamstring

US /ˈhæm.strɪŋ/
UK /ˈhæm.strɪŋ/
"hamstring" picture
1.

any of five tendons at the back of the human knee, or (in quadrupeds) the great tendon at the back of the hock.

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He pulled a hamstring during the sprint.
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The athlete suffered a severe hamstring injury.
:
popliteal tendonthigh tendon
1.

to cripple (a person or animal) by severing the hamstrings.

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The rebels would often hamstring their captives to prevent escape.
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The ancient practice of hamstringing horses was used to prevent them from being ridden.
:
crippledisablemaimincapacitatehobble
2.

to severely restrict the efficiency or effectiveness of (a person or plan).

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Lack of funding will hamstring the research project.
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Bureaucracy tends to hamstring innovation.
:
hinderimpedecrippledisablethwartfrustrateobstructcurbrestricthandicap