1. present participle of hamstring; to cripple or disable by cutting the hamstring muscles
Usage: literal, physical sense
2. to severely limit or prevent the effectiveness or success of something
Usage: figurative, common in modern usage

Examples

• The injury was hamstringing his ability to run at full speed.
• Budget cuts are hamstringing the department's research efforts.
• Outdated regulations are hamstringing innovation in the industry.
• The team's lack of preparation was hamstringing their performance in the tournament.
• Poor communication is hamstringing the project's progress.
• The athlete recovered from the surgery that had hamstrung his leg.
• Bureaucratic red tape continues to hamstring small businesses.
• Fear of failure was hamstringing her confidence.