1. severely limited or prevented from functioning effectively; crippled or disabled
Usage: figurative use; most common in modern English

1. to cut or sever the hamstring muscles of (an animal or person), causing inability to move; to cripple or disable
Usage: past tense and past participle of hamstring; literal/physical sense, now rare
2. to severely restrict or prevent (someone or something) from achieving a goal or functioning properly
Usage: figurative use; past tense and past participle of hamstring

Examples

• The investigation was hamstrung by lack of evidence.
• Budget cuts have hamstrung the school's ability to hire new teachers.
• The team felt hamstrung by outdated equipment and poor facilities.
• Without proper funding, the nonprofit was hamstrung in its efforts to help the community.
• The new regulations hamstrung small businesses trying to compete.
• She was hamstrung by her lack of experience in the field.
• The project was hamstrung from the start due to poor planning.