1
general::
strength
adjectives
physical strength
• Some of the tasks required considerable physical strength.
great/enormous strength
• Hercules was famous for his great strength.
superhuman strength
(= much greater than ordinary strength )
• In the movie, Walsh performs feats of superhuman strength.
superior strength
(= greater than someone else's )
• Using his superior strength, Rocky dragged the struggling Larsen another twenty yards back.
brute strength
(= physical strength rather than intelligence or careful thinking )
• There is more to wrestling than brute strength. Tactics are important too.
full strength
• It takes time to get your full strength back after you have been ill.
verbs
have the strength to do something
• He didn't even have the strength to sit up.
find the strength to do something
• Mary found the strength to climb up onto the upturned boat.
use your strength
• He used all his strength to heave the door shut.
gather/muster/summon your strength
(= get enough strength to do something )
• He sat for a couple of minutes, gathering his strength.
build up your strength
(= make yourself stronger )
• You need to build up your strength.
gain strength
• After the operation, he spent several weeks relaxing and gaining strength.
strength 2
adjectives
great strength
• She showed great strength in dealing with her problems.
inner strength
• Geoff had an inner strength which got him through the tough times.
mental strength
• He's a player who has the skill and the mental strength to win.
verbs
have the strength to do something
• This proved that he has the strength to cope with such a high-powered job.
find the strength to do something
• Paula had found the strength to escape from an abusive marriage.
gain/draw strength from somebody/something
• He gained strength from being back with the people and things he loved.
show strength
• The decision to continue shows incredible strength and courage.
phrases
strength of character
(= strong ability to deal with difficult situations )
• The victims' families have shown amazing strength of character.
strength of purpose/mind
(= determination to do something )
• In pursuing this ambition, William showed remarkable strength of purpose.
a source of strength
(= person or thing that makes you brave or determined )
• Her faith had always been a source of strength for her.
strength 3
adjectives
a great strength
• Diversity is one of India's greatest strengths.
a real strength
• The play's real strength is the way it explores relationships.
verbs
identify strengths
• The teacher can identify each child's strengths and build on these.
know somebody's strengths
• It's important to know your strengths as well as your weaknesses.
somebody's/something's strength lies in something
• The show's strength lies in the fact that it appeals to all ages.
phrases
strengths and weaknesses
• All technologies have different strengths and weaknesses.
transnet.ir
2
general::
noun PREP. below/under ~ Injuries meant that the Dutch team was below strength for the final. | with ~ She pushed him away with unexpected strength. PHRASES at full strength The orchestra was at full strength for the Mahler symphony. | be/get back to full strength I'm still not quite back to full strength after my illness. | every ounce of strength She summon | a feat of strength He used to entertain people with his feats of strength. | a pillar/tower of strength He was a tower of strength to his sisters when their father died. | a position of strength They are negotiating from a position of strength. | reserves of strength When she had twins, she discovered reserves of strength that she didn't know she had. | a show of strength 50,000 troops massed on the border in the biggest show of strength to date. | a source of strength Her childhood memories were a great source of strength when her mother was killed. | strength born of desperation/fear/panic, etc. With strength born of pure panic, she threw her attacker to the ground. | strength of character/purpose/will, strength of feeling, the strength of your position, a test/trial of strength Today's vote is being seen as a test of strength for the government. The dispute developed into a trial of strength between management and the union. | with all your strength She threw the rope with all her strength. useful quality ADJ. great | real VERB + STRENGTH exploit, play to The team may not have the best players, but it plays to its strengths. STRENGTH + VERB lie in sth Her great strength lies in her flexibility. PHRASES strengths and weaknesses how strong sb/sth is ADJ. enormous, great, immense | high The material has exceptionally high strength for its weight. | greater, superior His superior physical strength won him the title. | growing | continuing the continuing strength of the pound | relative | surprising, unexpected | superhuman, supernatural | brute He got the door open with brute strength. | extra They are reinforced with steel for extra strength. | collective | emotional, inner | muscle, muscular, physical | economic, electoral, financial, industrial, military | numerical the relative numerical strengths of men and women in the group | police, union, etc. | bargaining | wind | alcoholic VERB + STRENGTH have He had just enough strength to reach for the phone. | find, summon up I'm trying to summon up the strength to do some more work. | build up, gain, gather You need to try and build up your strength before the winter. The opinion that the president should stand down has gained considerable strength. | gain in, grow in, increase in | vary in These wines vary in strength between 11° and 15°. | lose | get back, recover, regain | give sb/sth, lend sb/sth Her love and support gave me strength. The metal reinforcement gives it the strength to resist the high winds. | sap The series of steep hills sapped the cyclists' strength. | conserve, save | draw (on), use She was able to draw on her immense inner strength. | put He put all his strength into reorganizing the department. | take It took all his strength to open the box. | test The Moroccan athlete ran a fast lap to test the strength of the other runners. | increase | reduce, undermine Her unwillingness to answer questions undermined the strength of her position. STRENGTH + VERB grow, increase | decline, ebb (away), fail, falter, wane The country's economic strength is declining. Her strength was ebbing fast, so her children were called to her bedside.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary