Collocations for strength - noun
1. how strong sb/sth is
ADJ.
enormous, great, immense | high
The material has exceptionally high strength for its weight.
The material has exceptionally high strength for its weight.
greater, superior
His superior physical strength won him the title.
His superior physical strength won him the title.
growing | continuing
the continuing strength of the pound
the continuing strength of the pound
relative | surprising, unexpected | superhuman, supernatural | brute
He got the door open with brute strength.
He got the door open with brute strength.
extra
They are reinforced with steel for extra strength.
They are reinforced with steel for extra strength.
collective | emotional, inner | muscle, muscular, physical | economic, electoral, financial, industrial, military | numerical
the relative numerical strengths of men and women in the group
the relative numerical strengths of men and women in the group
police, union, etc. | bargaining | wind | alcoholic
VERB + STRENGTH
have
He had just enough strength to reach for the phone.
He had just enough strength to reach for the phone.
find, summon up
I''m trying to summon up the strength to do some more work.
I''m trying to summon up the strength to do some more work.
build up, gain, gather
You need to try and build up your strength before the winter. | The opinion that the president should stand down has gained considerable strength.
You need to try and build up your strength before the winter. | The opinion that the president should stand down has gained considerable strength.
gain in, grow in, increase in | vary in
These wines vary in strength between 11° and 15°.
These wines vary in strength between 11° and 15°.
lose | get back, recover, regain | give sb/sth, lend sb/sth
Her love and support gave me strength. | The metal reinforcement gives it the strength to resist the high winds.
Her love and support gave me strength. | The metal reinforcement gives it the strength to resist the high winds.
sap
The series of steep hills sapped the cyclists'' strength.
The series of steep hills sapped the cyclists'' strength.
conserve, save | draw (on), use
She was able to draw on her immense inner strength.
She was able to draw on her immense inner strength.
put
He put all his strength into reorganizing the department.
He put all his strength into reorganizing the department.
take
It took all his strength to open the box.
It took all his strength to open the box.
test
The Moroccan athlete ran a fast lap to test the strength of the other runners.
The Moroccan athlete ran a fast lap to test the strength of the other runners.
increase | reduce, undermine
Her unwillingness to answer questions undermined the strength of her position.
Her unwillingness to answer questions undermined the strength of her position.
STRENGTH + VERB
grow, increase | decline, ebb (away), fail, falter, wane
The country''s economic strength is declining. | Her strength was ebbing fast, so her children were called to her bedside.
The country''s economic strength is declining. | Her strength was ebbing fast, so her children were called to her bedside.
PREP.
below/under ~
Injuries meant that the Dutch team was below strength for the final.
Injuries meant that the Dutch team was below strength for the final.
with ~
She pushed him away with unexpected strength.
She pushed him away with unexpected strength.
PHRASES
at full strength
The orchestra was at full strength for the Mahler symphony.
The orchestra was at full strength for the Mahler symphony.
be/get back to full strength
I''m still not quite back to full strength after my illness.
I''m still not quite back to full strength after my illness.
every ounce of strength
She summoned up every ounce of strength she possessed.
She summoned up every ounce of strength she possessed.
a feat of strength
He used to entertain people with his feats of strength.
He used to entertain people with his feats of strength.
a pillar/tower of strength
He was a tower of strength to his sisters when their father died.
He was a tower of strength to his sisters when their father died.
a position of strength
They are negotiating from a position of strength.
They are negotiating from a position of strength.
reserves of strength
When she had twins, she discovered reserves of strength that she didn''t know she had.
When she had twins, she discovered reserves of strength that she didn''t know she had.
a show of strength
50,000 troops massed on the border in the biggest show of strength to date.
50,000 troops massed on the border in the biggest show of strength to date.
a source of strength
Her childhood memories were a great source of strength when her mother was killed.
Her childhood memories were a great source of strength when her mother was killed.
strength born of desperation/fear/panic, etc.
With strength born of pure panic, she threw her attacker to the ground.
With strength born of pure panic, she threw her attacker to the ground.
strength of character/purpose/will, strength of feeling, the strength of your position, a test/trial of strength
Today''s vote is being seen as a test of strength for the government. | The dispute developed into a trial of strength between management and the union.
Today''s vote is being seen as a test of strength for the government. | The dispute developed into a trial of strength between management and the union.
with all your strength
She threw the rope with all her strength.
She threw the rope with all her strength.
2. useful quality
ADJ.
great | real
VERB + STRENGTH
exploit, play to
The team may not have the best players, but it plays to its strengths.
The team may not have the best players, but it plays to its strengths.
STRENGTH + VERB
lie in sth
Her great strength lies in her flexibility.
Her great strength lies in her flexibility.
PHRASES
strengths and weaknesses