strength
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Related to Strengths: weaknesses
inner strength
One's resolve or determination. You have to draw on your inner strength—it will carry you through an experience like this.
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.
at full strength
At the maximum strength, capacity, or level of power or ability. Primarily heard in UK. 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.
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.
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.
See also: 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.
See also: 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.
on the strength of
On the basis of: She was hired on the strength of her computer skills.