3
general::
verb make a great effort to do sth ADV. hard straining hard to understand | forward I strained forward to get a better view. VERB + STRAIN have to PREP. against The dogs were straining against the sledge. | at Several men were straining at a rope, trying to move the stalled vehicle. | for Their ears strained for any slight sound. PHRASES strain to hear/see sth We had to strain to hear what was being said. put a lot of pressure on sth ADV. seriously, severely The dispute severely strained relations between the two countries., noun severe demand on strength, resources, etc. ADJ. considerable, enormous, great, heavy, real, severe, terrible, tremendous It's a real strain having to get up so early! | slight | increasing | constant | excessive, intolerable, unbearable, undue | emotional, financial, mental, nervous, physical, psychological The mental strain of sharing an office with Alison was starting to tell. | breaking a fishing line with a 15lb breaking strain VERB + STRAIN be/come under, feel, suffer (from) Television newsreaders come under enormous strain. After weeks of overtime, she was starting to feel the strain. | cause, create, impose, place, put Increasing demand is placing undue strain on services. | ease, reduce | cope with, stand, take | increase STRAIN + VERB show, take its toll (on sb), tell (on sb) After six weeks of uncertainty, the strain was beginning to take its toll. PREP. under the ~ The ice gave way under the strain. He broke under the strain of having to work twelve hours a day. | ~ on There's too much strain on the corner of the table. PHRASES a bit of a strain I found it a bit of a strain making conversation with her. | signs of strain After three years, their marriage was beginning to show signs of strain. | stresses and strains the stresses and strains of a long day | take the strain off sb/out of sth The new scheme is designed to take the strain out of shopping. injury ADJ. bad | slight | back, eye, muscle, thigh, etc. VERB + STRAIN have, be suffering from | get You'll get eye strain if you don't put the light on. | recover from, shake off Gerrard will play if he can shake off a slight thigh strain.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary