bring X to its knees

To present a computer, operating system, piece of software, or algorithm with a load so extreme or pathological that it grinds to a halt. "To bring a MicroVAX to its knees, try twenty users running vi - or four running Emacs." Compare hog.

[Jargon File]

Nearby terms:
briefcase « brightness « Brilliant « bring X to its knees » British Broadcasting Corporation » British Library Method » British Standards Institute