How Do You Spell STRAIN AT?

Pronunciation: [stɹˈe͡ɪn at] (IPA)

The phrase "strain at" can be a bit confusing in terms of spelling. The reason for this is due to its pronunciation. The word "strain" is pronounced as /streɪn/ with a long "a" sound, whereas the word "at" is pronounced as /æt/ with a short "a" sound. Therefore, it is important to remember that the correct spelling of the phrase is "strain at" and not "strain against" which is a common confusion. The phrase means to struggle or strive towards something, often with effort or difficulty.

STRAIN AT Meaning and Definition

  1. To "strain at" is a phrasal verb that typically means to exert excessive effort, struggle, or apply force in an attempt to overcome an obstacle or solve a problem. This phrase often implies a feeling of resistance or difficulty in achieving a desired outcome. It can also connote a sense of resistance against external circumstances or limitations.

    In a literal sense, "strain at" can refer to the physical act of pulling or tugging with great force on an object that is stuck or difficult to move. This could involve using all one's strength or exerting oneself to the maximum to accomplish a specific task.

    Figuratively, "strain at" can describe a mental or emotional strain, when one pushes oneself to the limit in order to achieve a particular goal or overcome a challenge. It can imply that the person is facing significant difficulties or hurdles that require considerable effort and determination to overcome.

    The phrase "strain at" is often used in contexts such as sports, work, or personal endeavors where one needs to put in extra effort or energy to achieve success. It is important to note that this phrasal verb does not imply that the efforts will always be successful, but rather emphasizes the exertion or attempt made to overcome obstacles or limitations.

Common Misspellings for STRAIN AT

  • atrain at
  • ztrain at
  • xtrain at
  • dtrain at
  • etrain at
  • wtrain at
  • srrain at
  • sfrain at
  • sgrain at
  • syrain at
  • s6rain at
  • s5rain at
  • steain at
  • stdain at
  • stfain at
  • sttain at
  • st5ain at
  • st4ain at
  • strzin at
  • strsin at

Etymology of STRAIN AT

The phrase "strain at" originates from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, specifically from a mistranslation of a verse in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus criticizes the Jewish religious leaders, saying, "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel". However, the phrase "strain at" is a mistranslation of the original Greek text.

The Greek word used in this verse is "diulizō", which means "to strain out" or "to filter out". It refers to the act of carefully removing impurities or insects from a liquid. However, due to an error when translating the Greek into English, the preposition "at" was used instead of "out".

Similar spelling words for STRAIN AT