“Hobbled” means to be slowed down, limited, or made less effective. It can describe a person, animal, or even a plan or system that cannot move or work properly because of a problem.
In everyday English, people use hobbled when something is held back by an injury, a mistake, or a difficulty. For example, a runner can be hobbled by a bad ankle, or a company can be hobbled by debt. It often suggests that something is still going, but not at full strength.
Meaning & Usage
Hobbled is the past tense of hobble. It can mean walking badly because of pain or injury, or it can mean being restricted in a broader sense. In news and daily conversation, it is often used figuratively to show that something is being held back.
Examples
The old man hobbled down the street with a cane.
Her team was hobbled by injuries before the big game.
The company was hobbled by rising costs.
Does “hobbled” always mean physical pain?
No. It can describe physical movement, but it is also often used to mean something is limited or weakened in a general way.
Is “hobbled” formal or informal?
It can be used in both everyday speech and writing, especially when describing problems, injuries, or limits.
What is the difference between “hobbled” and “limped”?
Limped usually means walking unevenly because of pain. Hobbled can mean that too, but it is also used more broadly to mean slowed down or restricted.
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