hobble
/ˈhɑbəl/
verb
- To walk with difficulty, usually because of an injury to the leg or foot.
- After twisting his ankle, he had to hobble to the car.
- She hobbled on crutches for weeks after the surgery.
- The old dog hobbled slowly across the yard.
- To restrict or hinder the movement, progress, or action of something or someone.
- The team's lack of funding hobbled their research efforts.
- New regulations could hobble small businesses.
- His fear of failure hobbled his career advancement.
- To tie the legs of an animal (especially a horse) together loosely to prevent it from straying.
- In the old days, travelers would hobble their pack animals at night.
- The cowboy hobbled his horse before making camp.
- They hobbled the mules so they could graze nearby.
noun
- An awkward, limping walk.
- He walked with a noticeable hobble after the accident.
- The hobble in her gait was caused by a childhood injury.
- I recognized his hobble from across the street.
- A rope or strap used to hobble an animal.
- The hobble was made of strong rope.
- The farmer checked the hobble on the donkey.
- She bought a leather hobble for her pony.