strain
noun uk/streɪn/ us/streɪn/
(PRESSURE)
B2 [ C usually singular or U ]压力;拉力，张力;作用力
a force or influence that stretches, pulls, or puts pressure on something, sometimes causing damage
The hurricane put such a strain on the bridge that it collapsed. 在飓风强大的作用力下，桥塌了。
As you get older, excess weight puts a lot of strain on the heart. 随着年龄的增长，体重过重会给心脏造成很大负担。
Their constant arguments were putting a strain on their marriage. 他们持续不断的争吵使他们的婚姻关系非常紧张。
The recent decline in the dollar has put a bigger strain on the economic system. 最近美元的贬值为经济体系带来了更大的压力。
Migration into the cities is putting a strain on already stretched resources. 城市移民给已经过度紧张的资源带来了压力。
C2 [ C ]（肌肉等软组织的）损伤，拉伤，扭伤
an injury to a muscle or similar soft part of the body caused by using that part too much
a groin/hamstring strain 腹股沟／腘旁腱拉伤
See also: eyestrain
B2 [ C or U ]压力；紧张
something that makes you feel nervous and worried
She's a lot better than she was but she's still not ready to face the stresses and strains of a job. 她比以前好多了，但仍然没有准备好应对工作的紧张和压力。
He's been under a lot of strain recently. 他最近压力很大。
- More examples
- a groin strain
- His muscles knotted with the strain.
- Jogging puts a lot of strain on the knees.
- The strain must have been enormous but she bore it well.
- The events of the last few weeks have put a real strain on him.
(TYPE)
[ C ]类型；品质；个性特点，禀性
a particular type or quality
A strain of puritanism runs through all her work. 她的所有作品都带有一种清教主义色彩。
[ C ]（动植物的）品系，株系，品种
an animal or plant from a particular group whose characteristics are different in some way from others of the same group
Scientists have discovered a new strain of the virus which is much more dangerous. 科学家们已经发现了一种危险得多的新病毒。
(MUSIC)
strains[ plural ] 旋律;曲调
the sound of music being played or performed
I could hear the strains of Mozart in the background. 我听见背景音中有莫扎特的旋律。
strain
verb uk/streɪn/ us/streɪn/
(SEPARATE)
[ T ]滤，过滤（食物）
to separate liquid food from solid food, especially by pouring it through a utensil with small holes in it
Could you strain the vegetables, please. 你能把菜滤一滤吗？
The oil in which the fish is fried is strained off and used to cook potatoes. 煎鱼的油在过滤之后用来炸土豆了。
(PRESSURE)
B2 [ I or T ]（使）紧张，（使）承受压力；拉紧，绷紧；损伤
to become stretched or to experience pressure, or to make something do or experience this
I've put on such a lot of weight recently - this dress is straining at the seams. 我最近胖了很多——这条裙子穿上后紧绷绷的。
I strained a muscle in my back playing squash. 我打壁球拉伤了背肌。
Don't watch TV in the dark - you'll strain your eyes! 不要在黑暗中看电视——会伤害你的眼睛！
[ + to infinitive ] figurative I really had to strain (= try very hard) to reach those top notes. 我确实得铆足了劲儿才能唱出那些最高的音。
figurative I was straining (my ears) (= listening hard) to hear what they were saying. 我竖起耳朵，拼命想听清他们在说什么。
(MONEY)
C2 [ T ]（尤指金钱）过多使用
to cause too much of something to be used, especially money
Increases in wholesale oil prices have strained the company's finances. 油料批发价的上涨让公司财务支出过多。
Idioms
be straining at the leashidiom 热切期望（做现在不被允许做的事）
to be very eager to do something that you are being prevented from doing at the present time
These young athletes have been training hard and are straining at the leash to compete. 这些年轻的运动员训练非常刻苦，热切渴望参加竞赛。
strain after/for effectidiom 尽力追求；拼命争取
to try so hard to entertain that it seems false
I find his style of writing so artificial - he always seems to be straining for effect. 我发现他的文风非常不自然——他看起来总是想拼命追求效果。
strain every nerveidiom 竭尽全力
to make the greatest possible effort
She's straining every nerve to get the work finished on time. 她拼尽全力争取把工作按时做完。