to try to make sth do more than it is able to do 过度使用；使不堪承受
The sudden influx of visitors is straining hotels in the town to the limit.
游客突然涌入，城里的旅馆全都爆满。
His constant complaints were straining our patience.
他没完没了的抱怨让我们忍无可忍。
The dispute has strained relations between the two countries (= made them difficult).
这场争端使两国关系紧张起来。