Practice Hobble with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

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Definition of hobble

To walk or move with difficulty, often due to a physical impairment, injury, or an obstacle.
"She can only hobble a few steps with the crutches."

Detailed Meaning of Hobble

When someone hobbles, their movements are typically restricted, unsteady, or awkward, as if they are struggling to maintain balance or stability. This verb can also be used metaphorically to describe any action or process that is hindered, slowed down, or impeded, resulting in a lack of progress or efficiency. It conveys a sense of limitation, constraint, or temporary disablement. In a physical sense, hobbling may involve limping, shuffling, or dragging one's feet, indicating a struggle to move normally. Figuratively, it can describe a situation where progress or effectiveness is compromised, whether due to external factors or personal limitations.

Example Sentences for Hobble

1. After the injury, he had to hobble on crutches for weeks.
2. The steep terrain forced us to hobble carefully downhill.
3. She tried to hide her pain but could only hobble slowly.
4. The broken escalator caused commuters to hobble up the stairs.
5. With a sprained ankle, he could only hobble around the house.
6. The tight shoes made her hobble uncomfortably.

Origin and Etymology of Hobble

The verb 'hobble' finds its origins in Middle English, where it was spelled as 'hobelen' or 'hobilien.' It is believed to have been influenced by the Old French word 'houblonner,' which meant 'to limple' or 'to hop,' related to 'hoube,' meaning 'a hop.' The word 'hobble' was used in Middle English to describe the act of walking or moving with difficulty, often due to a physical impairment, injury, or an obstacle. Its etymology reflects the unsteady and irregular movement that may resemble hopping or limping, which is characteristic of someone who is struggling to walk or move smoothly, often due to physical limitations or impediments.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb hobble:

limp

sprint

march

stride

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Hobble

1. The old dog continued to hobble around the yard.
2. He had to hobble through the rocky terrain.
3. The injured athlete refused to hobble off the field.
4. The hiker's twisted ankle forced her to hobble back to camp.
5. Despite the pain, she managed to hobble to the finish line.
6. They hobble down the street after a long day of hiking.
7. The old dog will hobble over to greet you.
8. The injured players hobble back to the bench.
9. He might hobble for the rest of his life due to that injury.
10. Ducks often hobble on land but are graceful in water.
11. If you wear those shoes for too long, you'll hobble by the end of the day.
12. The wounded deer will probably hobble back into the forest.
13. Watch out for the broken sidewalk, or you might hobble too!
14. In that ankle brace, he will hobble rather than walk normally.
15. The old man uses a cane to help him hobble to the store.
16. When my foot fell asleep, I could only hobble until it woke up.
17. If the horse's leg isn’t treated, it could hobble for the rest of its life.
18. Pirates with peg legs are often depicted to hobble around.
19. She had to hobble back home in the rain after twisting her ankle.
20. With his leg in a cast, he can only hobble up the stairs.
21. The injured bird tried to hobble away from the cat.
22. Sometimes my computer seems to hobble along when I have too many tabs open.
23. We will hobble through the dark if we don't find a flashlight.
24. The grandmother helps the little girl hobble across the street.