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▸  straighten up → see straighten 2

strai ght-fa ced ADJ [usu ADJ n, ADJ after v] A straight-faced person appears not to be amused in a funny situation. □  …a straight-faced, humourless character. □  'Whatever gives you that idea?' she replied straight-faced.

straight|forward /stre I tfɔː ^r wə ^r d/

1 ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If you describe something as straightforward , you approve of it because it is easy to do or understand. [APPROVAL ] □  Disposable nappies are fairly straightforward to put on. □  The question seemed straightforward enough.

2 ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as straightforward , you approve of them because they are honest and direct, and do not try to hide their feelings. [APPROVAL ] □  She is very blunt, very straightforward and very honest.

strai ght-la ced → see strait-laced

strain ◆◇◇ /stre I n/ (strains , straining , strained )

1 N‑VAR [oft under N ] If strain is put on an organization or system, it has to do more than it is able to do. □  The prison service is already under considerable strain. □ [+ on ] The vast expansion in secondary education is putting an enormous strain on the system.

2 VERB To strain something means to make it do more than it is able to do. □ [V n] The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system.

3 N‑UNCOUNT Strain is a state of worry and tension caused by a difficult situation. □  She was tired and under great strain. □  …the stresses and strains of a busy and demanding career.

4 N‑SING If you say that a situation is a strain , you mean that it makes you worried and tense. □  I sometimes find it a strain to be responsible for the mortgage.

5 N‑UNCOUNT Strain is a force that pushes, pulls, or stretches something in a way that may damage it. □  Place your hands under your buttocks to take some of the strain off your back.

6 N‑VAR [usu n N ] Strain is an injury to a muscle in your body, caused by using the muscle too much or twisting it. □  Avoid muscle strain by warming up with slow jogging.

7 VERB If you strain a muscle, you injure it by using it too much or twisting it. □ [V n] He strained his back during a practice session.

8 VERB If you strain to do something, you make a great effort to do it when it is difficult to do. □ [V to-inf] I had to strain to hear. □ [V n] They strained their eyes, but saw nothing.

9 VERB When you strain food, you separate the liquid part of it from the solid parts. □ [V n] Strain the stock and put it back into the pan.

10 N‑SING You can use strain to refer to a particular quality in someone's character, remarks, or work. □  There was a strain of bitterness in his voice. □  …this cynical strain in the book.

11 N‑COUNT A strain of a germ, plant, or other organism is a particular type of it. □ [+ of ] Every year new strains of influenza develop.

12 → see also eye strain , repetitive strain injury

strained /stre I nd/

1 ADJ If someone's appearance, voice, or behaviour is strained , they seem worried and nervous. □  Gil sensed something wrong from her father's strained voice.

2 ADJ If relations between people are strained , those people do not like or trust each other. □  …a period of strained relations between the prime minister and his deputy.

strain|er /stre I nə ^r / (strainers ) N‑COUNT A strainer is an object with holes which you pour a liquid through in order to separate the liquid from the solids in it. □  Pour the broth through a strainer. □  …a tea strainer.

strait /stre I t/ (straits )