straps
/stræp/ (bre, ipa) · [strˈæps] /stræp/ (ame, ipa) · [strˈæps] /ˈstrap How to pronounce strap (audio)/ (ame, mw)
straps — noun
1. narrow bands of strong material such as leather, cloth, or nylon, used to secure
narrow bands of strong material such as leather, cloth, or nylon, used to secure loads, carry things, or keep them steady
Haruto tightened the straps on his backpack before climbing the last hill.
collocation: straps on [bag/object]
Loose straps on the roof box slapped loudly against the car in the wind.
The nurse checked the straps around the stretcher before moving the patient downstairs.
Canvas straps kept the rolled tent secure during the long bus ride.
文法句型
straps on/for + noun
straps around + object
用法筆記
Use this sense for straps whose main job is fastening, carrying, or supporting something. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on the named straps that are built into an item such as a dress, sandal, or guitar.
2. the straps attached to clothes, shoes, bags, or equipment, usually named by the
the straps attached to clothes, shoes, bags, or equipment, usually named by the item or body part they belong to
Lauren replaced the worn shoulder straps on her school bag over the weekend.
compound pattern: shoulder straps
The sandals' ankle straps rubbed Saira's skin during the wedding photos.
compound pattern: ankle straps
Christopher adjusted the guitar straps so the instrument would sit evenly on his back.
The dress had thin straps that crossed neatly between Dahlia's shoulders.
- attachments
much broader; does not specifically describe the narrow supporting bands themselves
- bands
possible for some shoes or clothes, but less natural for backpack or guitar parts
文法句型
shoulder/ankle/guitar/dress straps
用法筆記
Usually appears after a naming noun, as in 'shoulder straps', 'guitar straps', or 'ankle straps'. The first noun tells you where the straps sit or what they support.
3. the hanging loops or bands inside buses, trains, and similar vehicles that stand
the hanging loops or bands inside buses, trains, and similar vehicles that standing passengers hold for balance
When the train jerked, Yara caught the nearest straps above the doorway.
public transport: straps above the doorway
Morning commuters filled the aisle, each person reaching for the overhead straps.
The old tram had leather straps instead of metal bars for standing riders.
Hoa could not reach the highest straps, so she stayed near the pole.
- grab loops
descriptive phrase for the same kind of hanging support
- overhead handles
close in function, but handles are usually rigid rather than flexible
文法句型
overhead straps
grab the straps
用法筆記
This sense belongs to standing travel on buses or trains. Distinguish it from sense 1 by the transport setting and the idea of holding on for balance.
4. guns, especially handguns, when referred to in informal street slang
guns, especially handguns, when referred to in informal street slang
The detectives said the gang kept straps under the back seat of the van.
slang register: keep straps
In the film, two straps were hidden inside a cereal box in the closet.
The rapper boasts about straps and cash, but the song never names a model.
Police found no straps during the apartment search, despite the online threats.
文法句型
keep/carry straps
find straps under + noun
用法筆記
This is recognitional slang, not neutral learner vocabulary. It usually appears in crime reporting, song lyrics, or dialogue meant to sound street-level.
5. leather strips used as whips for punishing people, especially in schools or pris
leather strips used as whips for punishing people, especially in schools or prisons in the past
The museum displayed old classroom straps beside canes and wooden rulers.
historical context: classroom straps
History books describe straps being used on students for minor mistakes.
The prison archive listed straps among the punishments banned after reform.
Jabari was shocked to learn that some schools once kept straps in the headteacher's office.
文法句型
use straps on + person
keep straps in + place
用法筆記
This sense is mainly historical. Modern learners are more likely to meet it in museums, memoirs, or discussions of past school discipline than in present-day use.
straps — verb
- strapspresent simple I / you / we / they
- strapses3rd person singular
- strapsing-ing form
- strapsedpast simple
1. fastens a person or thing in place with a strap or with several straps, usually
fastens a person or thing in place with a strap or with several straps, usually for safety or support
The paramedic straps the patient into the ambulance seat before every turn.
pattern: strap + person + into + seat
On windy days, Eitan straps the ladder to the truck with extra care.
The airline worker straps each surfboard down before loading the rest of the bags.
Before class starts, the teacher straps the project box onto a cart.
- unstraps
direct opposite when the straps are removed
文法句型
strap + object + into/onto/to + noun phrase
strap + object + down
用法筆記
This sense usually needs a place phrase such as 'into the seat', 'to the truck', or 'onto a cart' to show where the object ends up. When the object is a person, it often implies a safety restraint.
常見錯誤
2. hits or punishes someone with a leather strap as a form of discipline, especiall
hits or punishes someone with a leather strap as a form of discipline, especially in older settings
The novel says the captain straps sailors for stealing food from storage.
pattern: strap + person + for + offence
In the memoir, the school still straps boys for speaking their home language.
The judge denounced any system that straps children for small mistakes.
The film shows a guard who straps prisoners in secret after inspections.
文法句型
strap + person + for + offence
用法筆記
Usually appears in historical writing, memoirs, or fiction about past discipline. In modern contexts, learners are more likely to recognise this sense than use it themselves.