bring X to its knees

( v.)

   [common]  To  present a machine, 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}.

[glossary]