strength
(redirected from Strengths)Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Financial, Encyclopedia.
Related to Strengths: weaknesses
at full strength
At the maximum strength, capacity, or level of power or ability. Give her a dose of that painkiller at full strength. It took a while, but I'm finally back at full strength after my injury. Now that the army is at full strength, the smaller opposing side doesn't stand a chance.
be at full strength
To be at the maximum strength, capacity, or level of power or ability. It took a while, but I'm finally back at full strength after my injury. Now that the army is at full strength, our enemies don't stand a chance against us.
be below full strength
To not be at the maximum strength, capacity, or level of power or ability. I've been below full strength ever since my injury. If our army is below full strength, we don't stand a chance against our enemies.
brute force
Strong physical force, perhaps that which is exercised without thought or consideration. I couldn't get my car out of the mud until my brothers came along and moved it by brute force. You can't just fix everything with brute force. Sometimes you need to use some finesse.
by brute strength
By sheer force or physical strength. I couldn't get my car out of the mud until my brothers came along and moved it by brute strength.
by main strength and awkwardness
By sheer force or physical strength. I couldn't get my car out of the mud until my brothers came along and moved it by main strength and awkwardness.
give me strength
An expression (akin to a prayer) acknowledging that one will need patience to deal with a frustrating or irritating situation. I have to watch 15 screaming children today? Oh, give me strength!
go from strength to strength
To become increasingly successful or improved. I was nervous when I initially invested in that company, but it has gone from strength to strength, thank goodness.
inner strength
One's resolve or determination. You have to draw on your inner strength—it will carry you through an experience like this.
main strength and awkwardness
Pure, unreasoning force of strength; brute force. The car is completely stuck in the mud—the only way we're getting it out is with main strength and awkwardness. You can't just get this thing to work with main strength and awkwardness. We'll need to devise some new method of operating the mechanism.
not know (one's) own strength
To underestimate how much force one is able to apply or exert in some physical activity. A: "Hey, you're pushing the car too fast! I just need to get it off the road, not down into the ditch!" B: "Oops, sorry. Guess I don't know my own strength!" You need to be more careful with that equipment. You don't know your own strength!
on the strength of (something)
Due to or on the basis of some outstanding factor; on the merit of something. I can't help but feel like I was hired for my looks and not on the strength of my skills. On the strength of this new evidence, I find no reason for this case to proceed any further.
pillar of strength
A supportive or emotionally strong person. My aunt has been a pillar of strength for me, helping me through many difficult moments in my life.
play to (one's) strengths
1. To prioritize using one's natural abilities and specific skills, especially by pursuing tasks or goals suited to such skills. After his disappointing Western-themed family drama, it's nice to see the director once again playing to her strengths with a film grounded in humor and wit.
2. To put one in a position that allows them to best use their natural abilities and specific skills. We're going to have everyone try out the different positions on the field so we can find everyone a role that plays to their strengths.
tower of strength
Someone who is very dependable and provides a great deal of support or encouragement, especially in times of trouble or difficulty. Mary has been an absolute tower of strength ever since my mother fell ill. My husband has been a tower of strength while I work on my PhD.
union is strength
People are much more powerful and likely to succeed when they work together toward a common purpose. I know it's scary to defy the bosses, but union is strength! If we all stand together and refuse to work, they will have no choice but to meet our demands. The king brought the kings of the other regions together to propose an alliance against the invaders, arguing that union would be strength.
at full strength
at the strongest amount, dilution, power, loudness, etc. You should use this medicine at full strength, even if it tastes bad.
by brute strength
by great muscular strength. The men moved the heavy door by brute strength.
by main strength and awkwardness
Rur. by force or brute strength. Tom: How did you get that piano up the stairs? Mary: By main strength and awkwardness. By main strength and awkwardness, we got all the luggage crammed into the car.
main strength and awkwardness
Fig. great force; brute force. They finally got the piano moved in to the living room by main strength and awkwardness. Lifting the antique table must be done carefully. This is not a job requiring main strength and awkwardness.
not know one's own strength
not to realize how destructive or harmful one's strength can be. I didn't mean to hurt you. I guess I don't know my own strength. He might break the door down by accident. He doesn't know his own strength and could end up pushing too hard against the door.
on the strength of something
Fig. because of the support of something, such as a promise or evidence; due to something. On the strength of your comment, I decided to give John another chance. On the strength of my testimony, my case was dismissed.
pillar of strength
and pillar of supportsomeone or something that consistently provides moral, emotional, or financial support as does a pillar. My parents are my pillars of support. John looked to God as his pillar of strength.
tower of strength
Fig. a person who can always be depended on to provide support and encouragement, especially in times of trouble. Mary was a tower of strength when Jean was in the hospital. She looked after her whole family. Jack was a tower of strength during the time that his father was unemployed.
Union is strength.
Prov. If people join together, they are more powerful than if they work by themselves. The students decided to join together in order to present their grievances to the faculty, since union is strength. We cannot allow our opponents to divide us. Union is strength.
brute force
Also, brute strength. Savage violence, unreasoning strength, as in We hope that reason will triumph over brute force. Although this expression is also used literally to mean exceptional physical power, the figurative sense reflects the origin for brute, which comes from Latin brutus, for "heavy, stupid, unreasoning." [First half of 1700s]
on the strength of
On the basis of, as in She was hired on the strength of her computer skills. [Early 1600s]
tower of strength
A dependable person on whom one can lean in time of trouble, as in After Dad died Grandma was a tower of strength for the whole family. This expression, first recorded in 1549, originally was used most often to refer to God and heaven, but Shakespeare had it differently in Richard III (5:3): "Besides, the King's name is a tower of strength."
go from strength to strength
COMMON If a person, organization or event goes from strength to strength, they become more and more successful or confident. As for James, he's still going from strength to strength in the army. A decade later, the company has gone from strength to strength.
a tower of strength
ora pillar of strength
COMMON If someone is a tower of strength or a pillar of strength during a difficult period in your life, they give you a lot of help or support. My eldest daughter was a tower of strength for me when I was sick. In her terrible sadness she has found Charles to be a pillar of strength.
give me strength!
used as an expression of exasperation or annoyance.See also: give
go from strength to strength
develop or progress with increasing success.on the strength of
on the basis of or with the justification of.a tower (or pillar) of strength
a person who can be relied upon to be a source of strong support and comfort.This phrase may come from the Book of Common Prayer: ‘O Lord…be unto them a tower of strength’.
in ˈforce/ˈstrength
(of people) present in large numbers: The police were out in force to deal with any trouble at the demonstration. ♢ Party members appeared in strength to welcome the Prime Minister.be at/below full ˈstrength
have/not have the necessary number of people to do something: We’re working below strength at the moment; it’s not easy to deliver all the orders on time. ♢ When we’re working at full strength, we employ 600 people.go from ˌstrength to ˈstrength
have more and more success: Since she became the boss, the company’s gone from strength to strength.on the strength of something
mainly because of something: I got the job on the strength of my experience in sales. ♢ They were sent to prison on the strength of a tiny piece of evidence.a ˌpillar/ˌtower of ˈstrength
a person who gives you the courage and determination to continue when you are in a bad situation: My wife has been a tower of strength during my illness. ♢ During your five years in prison, Terry was a pillar of strength.play to your ˈstrengths
give your attention and effort to things that you do well; give somebody the opportunity to do this: Each member of the team should have a task that plays to their strengths.on the strength of
On the basis of: She was hired on the strength of her computer skills.
brute force
Savage, senseless violence; also, sheer strength. The word “brute” came from the Latin brutus, which meant heavy, stupid, and unreasoning. The original meaning survives more in this cliché, dating from the eighteenth century, than in the modern English noun “brute,” which means simply an animal or a cruel person. Brute force is strength applied without thought as, for example, in forcing a lock. Eric Partridge’s compilation of catchphrases records one spelling this out: “brute force and ignorance,” current in Great Britain in the 1970s.
tower of strength
A reliable, supportive person, dependable especially in time of trouble. In the Bible this image is often reserved for God or, later, for religious faith. In the nineteenth century Tennyson used it for the duke of Wellington: “O fall’n at length that tower of strength” (“Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington,” 1852). It remains current.