But as the ropes strained tighter and the end of the mast-piece lifted, nothing broke.

The handle was difficult to turn and the rope strained under the weight.

His weight forced the dinghy deeper, increasing its resistance to the racing water, and the rope strained against the wooden frame.

The rope strained and groaned, but the knots held.

The sling creaked against the boulders; the ropes strained.

It snapped upward, and the rope strained as taut as the others.

He could hear the ropes creak and strain as the dummy reached their limit and began to move back toward its post.

The ropes holding the quintain strained in the wind.

The ropes strained with his weight and the other three poles seemed ready to break.

The ropes creaked and strained, but Lee had no fear of their giving way.