re-strain

The doctor advised him to re-strain his injured knee with a bandage.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of being held back or limited: "re-strain" refers to the condition of being prevented from doing something, often through physical or psychological means.
   • A device that restricts movement: A "re-strain" can be a physical object (e.g., a strap or harness) used to limit motion, especially in safety or medical contexts.

2. Verb:

   • To hold back or prevent from acting: The core meaning — to check, curb, or stop someone or something from doing something.
   • To control or limit: To keep something within bounds, such as emotions, actions, or physical movement.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The patient was placed in a re-strain to prevent injury. (A physical device limiting movement.)
  • She felt a re-strain on her freedom after the new rules were introduced. (A psychological or social limitation.)

• Verb:

  • He had to re-strain his anger during the argument. (To hold back an emotion.)
  • The police officer used force to re-strain the suspect. (To physically prevent movement.)

Advanced Usage

• "to re-strain oneself": to voluntarily hold back one's own impulses or actions.

  • She had to re-strain herself from laughing during the serious meeting. (She controlled her urge to laugh.)

• "without re-strain": freely, without limitation.

  • The children played without re-strain in the open field. (They played freely, with no restrictions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Restrained (adj): showing self-control; not excessive.

  • His restrained response surprised everyone. (He controlled his reaction, not showing strong emotion.)

• Restraint (n): the act of holding back or limiting; a measure used to control.

  • The teacher showed great restraint in not shouting at the noisy class. (The teacher controlled their temper.)

• Unrestrained (adj): not held back; free or excessive.

  • The unrestrained laughter echoed through the hall. (Laughter that was not controlled.)

Synonyms

• Curb: to control or limit something.
  • He had to curb his spending. (Limit his expenses.)
• Check: to stop or slow down progress or action.
  • The new law checks the power of corporations. (Limits their influence.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Re-strain from: to prevent oneself from doing something.
  • Please re-strain from smoking in this area. (Avoid smoking.)

Related Idioms

• Put a re-strain on: to create a limitation or burden.

  • The high cost of living puts a re-strain on their budget. (Limits their financial freedom.)

• Under re-straint: in a state of being controlled or limited.

  • The prisoner was held under re-straint. (Physically controlled.)