overstrain

/ˌəʊ.vəˈstreɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌoʊ.vɚˈstreɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌō-vər-ˈstrān/ (ame, mw)

overstrain — verb

  • overstrainpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • overstrains3rd person singular
  • overstraining-ing form
  • overstrainedpast simple

1. to force a body part, person, or object past a safe limit so that it becomes wea

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to force a body part, person, or object past a safe limit so that it becomes weak, painful, or damaged.

例句

Ayana overstrained her shoulder by carrying two heavy water boxes upstairs.

overstrain + body part by doing something

The crew overstrained the old rope while pulling the boat onto shore.

overstrain + object until damage risk rises

同義詞
  • strain

    more general and can describe pressure without clearly going past the safe limit

  • overwork

    focuses more on making a person or body part work too much over time

  • damage

    states the result directly, without highlighting excessive pressure first

反義詞
  • rest

    to stop using something so hard and let it recover

  • protect

    to keep something from being pushed beyond a safe limit

文法句型

overstrain + body part

overstrain + object

overstrain + person

用法筆記

The object is usually a muscle, voice, joint, machine part, or person being pushed beyond what it can safely handle. It often implies actual harm, not just strong effort.

常見錯誤

❌I overstrained to lift the box.
✅I strained to lift the box.
💡use 'strain' for making a strong effort; 'overstrain' usually takes a direct object that is pushed too far.
❌The game overstrained on my eyes.
✅The game overstrained my eyes.
💡'overstrain' normally takes the affected body part as its object.

2. to put such heavy demands on money, supplies, or other limited resources that th

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to put such heavy demands on money, supplies, or other limited resources that they start to run short or fail.

例句

Free bus rides would overstrain the town budget within one year.

overstrain + budget

The sudden heat wave overstrained the village water supply by August.

overstrain + supply because demand rises

同義詞
  • stretch

    often means using resources almost to the limit, not necessarily past it

  • drain

    focuses on emptying resources rather than pressuring the whole system

  • burden

    broader and can describe heavy demands without resource shortage

反義詞
  • support

    to provide extra help so a resource can cope

  • ease

    to reduce the pressure on resources

文法句型

overstrain + budget

overstrain + resources

overstrain + supply

用法筆記

This sense is used for limited resources such as budgets, supplies, staff time, or public services. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about physical or mechanical damage to a body part, person, or object.

常見錯誤

❌The new plan overstrained for our budget.
✅The new plan overstrained our budget.
💡the verb takes the resource directly as its object.
❌Tourists strained the water supply.
✅Tourists overstrained the water supply.
💡use 'overstrain' when the demand clearly goes beyond what the supply can support.

overstrain — noun