incapacitate (someone)

incapacitate (someone)

To cause someone to be physically unable to do something. Oh man, that illness incapacitated me for weeks—I still get tired just walking up and down the steps. Oh, Tiffany's not that sick. Unless she's incapacitated, I fully expect her to still do her chores! That blow to the head incapacitated the boxer and gave the win to his opponent.

See also: incapacitate

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

incapacitate someone (for something) (for a period of time)

to make someone physically unfit for [doing] something for a period of time. The accident incapacitated Rick for further work for a year. Sam's carelessness incapacitated Frank for a month.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.