Hors de combat

usgb
adjective

Not able to fight in a war or competition because of injuries or other problems.

Four of the team's best players were, due to injury, hors de combat.
Visual representation of "hors de combat" - Not able to fight in a war or competition because of injuries or other problems.

Often appears as...

  • temporarily hors de combat
  • render hors de combat

Usage tips

Formal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "hors de combat"
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Combat Origin

Understand that it originates from warfare, implying being out of action due to injury or damage.

Illustration for Combat Origin
The soldiers were hors de combat after the intense battle.
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Beyond Sports

While often sports-related, it's also used to describe any situation where someone is unable to participate.

Illustration for Beyond Sports
After the long day, I was practically hors de combat for the evening party.
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Emotional Use

It can describe emotional or mental incapacity, not just physical.

Illustration for Emotional Use
Grief left her hors de combat, unable to focus on work.
Visual representation of the word "Hors de combat"

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