strong (redirected from strongish)

*a hold on someone a strong and secure influence on someone

(*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone~.) The strange religion seemed to have a strong hold on its followers. The drug has a hold on the minds of those who use it.

See also: hold

*strong as a horse and *strong as an ox; *strong as a lion

Cliché [of a living creature] very strong. (*Also: as ~.) Jill: My car broke down; it's sitting out on the street. Jane: Get Linda to help you push it; she's as strong as a horse. The athlete was strong as an ox; he could lift his own weight with just one hand. The football player was strong as a lion.

See also: horse

chain is no stronger than its weakest link

Prov. A successful group or team relies on each member doing well. George is completely out of shape. I don't want him on our ball team; a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

See also: chain, link, weak

come on strong and come on like gangbusters

to seem aggressive; to impress people initially as very aggressive and assertive. She has a tendency to come on strong, but she's really a softie. The new president comes on strong at first.

See also: come

Going strong

functioning well or energetically. We are still well and going strong.

See also: going

strong-arm tactics

force; the use of force. No more strong-arm tactics. You need to be more subtle. Strong-arm tactics are out. The boss says be gentle and don't hurt anybody.

the strong, silent type

a strong, quiet man. Clark looks like the strong, silent type. Actually he is slightly deaf and that's fat, not muscle.

See also: silent, type

use strong language

Euph. to swear, threaten, or use abusive language. I wish you wouldn't use strong language in front of the children. If you feel that you have to use strong language with the manager, perhaps you had better let me do the talking.

See also: language, use

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a strong stomach

the ability to watch very unpleasant things without getting upset or feeling ill (often + to do sth) Some of the war scenes are fairly horrific - you need to have a strong stomach to watch them.

See also: stomach

be somebody's strong point/suit

if an ability or quality is your strong suit, you have a lot of it (usually negative) It has to be said, logic isn't Katherine's strong point. Charm is not his strong suit but at least he knows it.

See also: point

be as strong as an ox

a person who is as strong as an ox is very strong Get Carl to lift it - he's as strong as an ox.

come on strong 

1. (informal) to speak to someone in a way that shows you have a strong sexual interest in them Towards the end of the evening he was coming on strong and I knew it was time to leave.

2. (mainly American) to speak to someone in a very angry or threatening way I have to come on strong with some of the guys to get them to cooperate.

See also: come

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(as) strong as a bull See: (as) strong as an ox

See also: bull

(as) strong as an ox

very strong (as) strong as a bull He's one of our best players – strong as an ox, with good speed and great hands.

Etymology: based on the idea that an ox (male cow) is a very strong animal

(still) going strong

to continue to be successful, healthy, or working well Our club was founded over 100 years ago, and it's still going strong.

Usage notes: usually used after the verb be, as in the example

See also: going

a strong stomach

the ability not to be upset by unpleasant things You have to have a strong stomach to invest in the stock market these days.

See also: stomach

come on strong

1. to act in a forceful way I didn't want to come on too strong, so I tried not to seem angry. The opposition came on strong with rallies and protests and an e-mail campaign.

2. to be popular Animal movies have come on strong again.

See also: come