hamstring

Disable from behind

The hamstrings are the three muscles running along the back of the thigh, connecting the hip to the knee.

Athletes commonly strain or tear them: She pulled her hamstring in the second quarter.

To hamstring someone or something is to cripple or severely hinder effectiveness: Budget cuts hamstrung the investigation.

The verb comes from the old practice of disabling animals or enemies by cutting these tendons.

hinder

cripple

Severely impair function

obstruct · thwart · handicap · stymie · weaken · hobble · paralyze · incapacitate · limit · restrict

injury

tear

To pull apart

sprain · swelling · bruising · inflammation · pain · ache · trauma · overstretch · pop · grade one

anatomy

tendon

Muscle-to-bone connector

gastrocnemius · hip joint · knee joint · flexion · extension · muscle fiber · popliteal · skeletal muscle · connective tissue · insertion

sports

sprinting

Maximum-speed locomotion on foot

track · hurdles · basketball · gymnastics · jumping · kicking · acceleration · athlete · sideline · bench

recovery

physical therapy

Rehabilitative movement-based medical care

ice · compression · rest · healing · strengthening · mobility · range of motion · ultrasound · exercise · gradual return

vulnerability

susceptible

Easily influenced or harmed

fragile · exposed · precarious · sensitive · delicate · instability · imbalance · tightness · overuse · fatigue

Categories
Opposites
capability/enablement

hamstringenable

Make something feasible

empower · strengthen · facilitate · fortify · equip

physical vitality

hamstringinvigorate

To fill with energy

energize · vitalize · revitalize · strengthen · fortify

support/hindrance

hamstringhelp

Assistance given

assist · support · aid · encourage · benefit

Phrases
Family

hamstrings, hamstringing

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G