strain every nerve and muscle
strain every nerve and muscle
1. To use every bit of one's physical effort or ability. We all worked together, straining ever nerve and muscle to push the truck out of the ditch. He strained every nerve and muscle trying to lift the sack of concrete up off the ground.
2. To use absolutely all of one's energy, willpower, or resolution. I felt like I had to strain every nerve and muscle to not clock him for making such an insensitive remark. He strained every nerve and muscle trying to catch the vase before it hit the ground.
See also: and, every, muscle, nerve, strain
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- work together
- die in the last ditch
- someplace
- strain
- bottle it
- bottle out
- chafe
- chafe at the bit
- be chafing at the bit
- be chomping at the bit