put a strain on

Meaning

To cause worry, difficulty, or tension in a situation or relationship. It suggests that a heavy burden is being placed on something, testing its strength or endurance to the limit. It is commonly used in both personal relationships and professional contexts.

Examples

• The long commute is starting to put a strain on their marriage.

  The long commute is starting to put a strain on their marriage.

• Unexpected medical bills have put a major strain on our family budget.

  Unexpected medical bills have put a major strain on our family budget.

• Working late every night will eventually put a strain on your health.

  Working late every night will eventually put a strain on your health.

• The sudden influx of tourists put a strain on the island's water supply.

  The sudden influx of tourists put a strain on the island's water supply.

• Their constant arguments about money are putting a strain on the friendship.

  Their constant arguments about money are putting a strain on the friendship.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The bad news put a stress on our relationship.

  ✓ The bad news put a strain on our relationship.

  While 'stress' and 'strain' are similar, the fixed idiomatic expression to describe damaging a relationship's health is 'put a strain on'.

• ✗ The long distance put strain at their bond.

  ✓ The long distance put a strain on their bond.

  The preposition used with this idiom is always 'on', and it usually requires the article 'a'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Having to care for an elderly relative can ___ even the strongest marriages.

  💡 cause tension or difficulty in

  Show answer

  put a strain on

• The high interest rates are ___ small business owners this year.

  💡 placing a heavy burden on (use the -ing form)

  Show answer

  putting a strain on