Hobble

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hobble

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb and noun

Pronunciation

HOB-ul  /ˈhɒb(ə)l/

Definition

As a verb: to walk lamely or with difficulty, moving with an uneven, halting gait as if the legs are constrained; to tie or fetter an animal's legs to limit movement; (figuratively) to hinder, restrict, or impede progress. As a noun: a limping, unsteady walk; a rope or fetter used to limit an animal's movement.

Plain meaning

To hobble means to walk lamely, with difficulty, in a slow and unsteady way — the way someone moves when they have an injured leg or when their legs are tied together. Figuratively, to hobble something means to hinder or restrict it seriously. A hobble is also the rope or strap used to limit a horse's movement.

Register

Neutral. Hobble is used in everyday, literary, and figurative contexts. In its literal sense it is vividly descriptive; in its figurative sense it implies serious restriction on progress or effectiveness.