2strain verb
strains; strained; strain·ing 1 [+ obj] : to injure (a body part or muscle) by too much tension, use, or effort
▪ I strained my back trying to lift the couch. ▪ Too much computer work strains the eyes. ▪ He strained a muscle in his leg. — compare sprain 2 : to try very hard to do or get something [no obj] — often + for ▪ He was straining for air. [=he was struggling to breathe] — often followed by to + verb ▪ He strained to open the jar. ▪ She strained to sing the high notes. ▪ The people in the back of the room strained to hear the speaker. [+ obj] ▪ I strained my ears to hear [=I tried very hard to hear] what they were whispering. ▪ I strained my eyes [=I tried very hard to see] in the darkness. 3 a : to be pulled or stretched in a forceful way [no obj] ▪ His muscles strained under the heavy weight. [+ obj] ▪ People were straining their necks [=were lifting their heads as high as they could by stretching their necks] to see the fight. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ You are straining (the limits of) my patience with your nagging.
b [no obj] : to pull hard on or push hard against something — + at or against ▪ The dog strained at its leash. ▪ His belly strained against the buttons of the shirt. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The kids were straining at the leash to get going. [=were very eager to get going] 4 [+ obj] : to cause problems or trouble for (something)
▪ The disagreement strained their relationship. ▪ The rent has strained our finances. ▪ The company is financially strained. 5 [+ obj] : to separate a liquid from solid pieces by using a special device (called a strainer)
▪ He strained the pasta. = He strained the water from the pasta. ▪ She strained the gravy. = She strained the lumps out of the gravy.
▪ I strained my back trying to lift the couch. ▪ Too much computer work strains the eyes. ▪ He strained a muscle in his leg. — compare sprain
b [no obj] : to pull hard on or push hard against something — + at or against ▪ The dog strained at its leash. ▪ His belly strained against the buttons of the shirt. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The kids were straining at the leash to get going. [=were very eager to get going]
▪ The disagreement strained their relationship. ▪ The rent has strained our finances. ▪ The company is financially strained.
▪ He strained the pasta. = He strained the water from the pasta. ▪ She strained the gravy. = She strained the lumps out of the gravy.
strain yourself 1 : to injure yourself by making your muscles do too much work
▪ Don't strain yourself trying to move the couch. 2 : to put a lot of physical or mental effort into doing something
▪ Don't strain yourself trying to think of the answer. I can tell you what it is.
▪ Don't strain yourself trying to move the couch.
▪ Don't strain yourself trying to think of the answer. I can tell you what it is.
