Advanced and Proficiency Vocabulary for Exams(e.g.GRE, Banks, Civil Services, SAT / LSAT). For IELTS/TOEFL, and everyday spoken vocabulary, go to our Spoken Vocabulary Database.
render powerless
- 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)
John believes that excessive regulations in the financial sector only serve to hamstring growth. He prefers a laissez-faire approach.
Construction of the facility has been hamstrung by budgetary cuts. It’s now unclear when it can be completed.
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.
