Handicap
'hæn.di.kæp
Definitions
2 meaningsA circumstance that makes progress or success more difficult.
'hæn.di.kæp
A disadvantage that makes achievement unusually difficult.
The team faced a significant handicap due to their star player's injury.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, but someone gives you a handicap. It's like they make it harder for you to win, maybe by making you start behind everyone else or giving you fewer points. This word is used when someone has a disadvantage.
👶 For kids: It means something that makes it hard for someone to do something.
More Examples
His lack of experience was a major handicap in the job interview.
The government implemented programs to address the social handicap faced by the elderly.
How It's Used
"The horse had a heavy handicap in the race."
"Despite her physical handicap, she excelled in her studies."
To place someone or something at a disadvantage.
'hæn.di.kæp
To put at a disadvantage.
The coach handicapped the team by assigning the weakest player to the starting lineup.
💡 Simply: To handicap someone is like giving them a tougher starting point or a disadvantage. For example, in a race, you might handicap the faster runners to make it fair for everyone else.
👶 For kids: To make something harder for someone.
More Examples
The new regulations handicapped small businesses.
The injury handicapped her ability to perform.
How It's Used
"The race was handicapped to give all competitors a chance to win."
"His lack of formal education handicapped his job search."
Idioms & expressions
have a handicap
To possess a disadvantage or impairment.
"The athlete had a leg injury, so he has a handicap."
give someone a handicap
To give someone a disadvantage, or level the playing field, such as in a competition.
"To make the race fair, the organizers decided to give the faster runners a handicap."
From 'hand in cap', a 17th-century game where two people would exchange objects of value with the umpire holding the 'stakes'. The umpire would then decide the difference in value, which one person would pay to equalize the exchange. The meaning evolved to any disadvantage.
Originally referring to a game of chance, the term's usage expanded to describe any condition which makes success more difficult, especially in sports.
Memory tip
Think of a physical disadvantage – it 'hands' you a challenge.
Word Origin
"a disadvantage"