Growing numbers have become permanently and cripplingly dependent on what was envisaged as a temporary measure in hard times.

BBC: UK

The outside world has a role to play, but it is patronising and above all cripplingly counter-productive to believe we have all the answers.

BBC: Joseph Kony campaign under fire

If parliament approves its plan, some of a footballer's earnings will count as royalties rather than salary, and therefore be exempt from France's cripplingly high welfare contributions.

ECONOMIST: Net pay

For one thing, developers would be less keen to court long, cripplingly expensive public inquiries by proposing the kind of bold, imaginative designs that are helping to reinvigorate London's skyline.

ECONOMIST: London's skyline: Shame about the view | The