Hamstringing is a method of crippling a person or animal so that they cannot walk properly by cutting the two large hamstring tendons at the back of the knee.
As a metaphor "to be hamstrung" suggests having limitations, externally imposed or not, preventing full freedom of movement or utilization of resources.[1]
Rendering chariot horses lame by hamstringing is mentioned in the Bible, called houghing in the King James Version,[2] from an old spelling of hock.
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