Hamstringing: meaning, definitions and examples

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hamstringing

 

[ ˈhæmstrɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

athletics, injury

Hamstringing refers to the act of injuring or causing damage to the hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh. This can occur through overstretching or excessive strain, often resulting in pain, swelling, and difficulty in movement.

Synonyms

damage, injure, weaken

Examples of usage

  • He was hamstringing himself during the sprint.
  • The player felt a sharp pain after hamstringing while running.
  • She has been hamstringing her training by not allowing enough recovery time.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative, disruption

In a figurative sense, hamstringing means to severely limit or restrict the effectiveness or power of something. This usage often applies to organizations or projects that are hindered by lack of resources or support.

Synonyms

cripple, hinder, impede

Examples of usage

  • The funding cuts are hamstringing the project's progress.
  • He felt that the new policies were hamstringing innovation in the company.
  • Her decision was hamstringing the team's performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "hamstringing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imobilização

🇮🇳 निष्क्रिय करना

🇩🇪 Lähmung

🇮🇩 melumpuhkan

🇺🇦 обмеження

🇵🇱 ograniczenie

🇯🇵 制限する

🇫🇷 restriction

🇪🇸 restricción

🇹🇷 sınırlama

🇰🇷 제한

🇸🇦 تقييد

🇨🇿 omezení

🇸🇰 obmedzenie

🇨🇳 限制

🇸🇮 omejitev

🇮🇸 takmörkun

🇰🇿 шектеу

🇬🇪 შეზღუდვა

🇦🇿 məhdudiyyət

🇲🇽 restricción

Etymology

The term 'hamstringing' derives from the word 'hamstring,' which originates from the combination of 'ham' (referring to the back of the knee) and 'string' (referring to a tendon or muscle). In the context of sports and physical activity, the hamstrings are crucial muscles responsible for knee flexion and hip extension. Historical records show that injuries to these muscles were common among athletes, leading to the use of 'hamstring' as a verb to denote the act of injuring them. Over time, the meaning has expanded to include the figurative sense of limiting or crippling something's effectiveness. The evolution of the term reflects both physical and metaphorical applications in language.