How to Memorize

hamstring - handicap

Analysis

The hamstring muscle plays a very important function in propelling the body forward. For that reason, injury to that area can be very debilitating. That fact has been adapted into a verb so that if you were to ‘hamstring’ somebody or something, you would limit their options or hinder their ability to take a particular course of action. Most commonly used in relation to business, politics, and finance.

Example(s)

1. John believes that excessive regulations in the financial sector only serve to hamstring growth. He prefers a laissez-faire approach.

2. Construction of the facility has been hamstrung by budgetary cuts. It’s now unclear when it can be completed.

3. Sarah is not being a team player. Instead, she is trying to hamstring me at every turn because she wants to be the project leader instead of me.