What does hamstrung mean?
Hamstrung describes a person, organization, or system that has been weakened, restricted, or rendered ineffective. Its figurative use is now especially common in political, legal, economic, and journalistic contexts: a committee may be hamstrung by strict procedure, while an economy may be hamstrung by inadequate infrastructure. The expression carries a strong suggestion of constraint or lost power, often implying that the affected party would otherwise be capable of acting effectively. Its literal origin lies in the hamstring, the tendon at the back of the knee; injuring it can severely restrict movement, particularly in running or sports. The figurative sense developed from this physical idea by applying it metaphorically to anything deprived of its ability to act freely. Consequently, hamstrung is especially vivid when a capable or powerful subject has been placed in an unexpectedly restrictive position.
Weakened, restrained, or deprived of effective action or movement.
"The new regulations left the agency hamstrung and unable to respond quickly."
Commonly used figuratively, especially for organizations, institutions, and systems that are prevented from functioning freely.
The past tense and past participle of hamstring: to injure or weaken so as to impair movement or effective action.
"A shortage of equipment hamstrung the emergency response."
Often used in the passive or as a participle; figurative use predominates in modern English.
Once a literal description of a disabling injury, “hamstrung” now vividly suggests forces that leave powerful people or institutions unable to move freely.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hamstrung come from?
The compound hamstring combines an older English term for the back of the knee with an Old English word for a cord or tendon. Its literal sense referred to the tendons that control movement at the back of the knee and that could be cut to disable a person or animal. The modern figurative sense developed from the idea of crippling or impeding movement. The form in this entry is the traditional past tense and past participle used adjectivally.
Related word forms
How hamstrung is actually used
The figurative use is common in formal, political, economic, and journalistic writing. The literal injury sense is more specialized and now sounds formal or historical. There is no significant regional distinction between standard British and American usage.
Easily confused with hamstrung
A hamstring is the tendon at the back of the knee, whereas hamstrung describes someone or something injured, weakened, or constrained by such an injury.