strap
strap — noun
1. a narrow band cut from strong material such as leather or cloth, used for securi
a narrow band cut from strong material such as leather or cloth, used for securing an object or keeping it in position
Rania adjusted the strap on her backpack so it sat more comfortably on her shoulders.
collocation: strap on [bag/garment]
A loose strap made one side of the suitcase flap open on the bus.
The leather saddle strap broke after years of daily use on the ranch.
A strong nylon strap held the mattress firmly to the roof of the car.
文法句型
strap + of + material
strap + on/for + noun
2. used as part of a compound word to name an item that has a strap attached to it,
used as part of a compound word to name an item that has a strap attached to it, such as a watch strap, shoulder strap, or ankle strap
Christopher replaced the worn leather band on his wristwatch with a new metal strap.
compound: watch strap
A handbag with a wide shoulder strap is easier to carry than one without.
Mayumi chose sandals with a thin ankle strap for the summer wedding.
The guitar strap that Vikram ordered online arrived with a broken buckle.
文法句型
[noun] + strap
用法筆記
Common in compound forms such as 'watch strap', 'shoulder strap', 'ankle strap', and 'guitar strap'. The first noun describes where the strap is located or what it supports.
3. a loop made of strong material that hangs overhead inside public vehicles, such
a loop made of strong material that hangs overhead inside public vehicles, such as buses and trains, for standing passengers to grip for stability
Tomás grabbed a hanging strap when the subway train lurched forward suddenly.
domain: public transport
The bus was so full that passengers were holding two straps just to stay upright.
Imani let go of the hanging strap to offer her seat to a woman.
Some older commuters find the overhead straps too high to reach comfortably.
- hanging loop
more descriptive term for the same object; less common in everyday speech
- overhead handle
used for horizontal bars; straps are specifically the looped material
用法筆記
Commonly found on public transportation. Also called a 'hanging loop' or 'overhead strap'.
4. a gun (slang term used in informal or street language, especially in urban conte
a gun (slang term used in informal or street language, especially in urban contexts)
In the crime novel, the detective finds a strap hidden under the driver's seat.
informal slang register
The police officer found a loaded strap under the front seat.
collocation: loaded strap
The suspect pulled a strap from his coat and ran into the alley.
The security guard spotted a strap tucked into the driver's waistband.
用法筆記
Highly informal slang. Inappropriate for formal writing, academic contexts, or polite conversation. Most English learners only need to recognise this sense, not actively use it.
5. a length of animal hide fashioned as a whip for punishing people, especially in
a length of animal hide fashioned as a whip for punishing people, especially in historical schools or correctional facilities
In the past, some headteachers kept a leather strap in their office for punishing students.
historical context
A worn leather strap used on prisoners hung in the museum display case.
Mathieu read about the use of the strap in boarding schools during his history class.
By the early twentieth century, the strap had been banned in most European classrooms.
用法筆記
Often associated with historical or institutional punishment. In modern contexts, 'strap' is rarely used for physical punishment outside of certain legal systems.
strap — verb
1. to fasten someone or something in a particular position by using a strap or stra
to fasten someone or something in a particular position by using a strap or straps, for security or safety
Chiara strapped the kayak onto the roof of her car before driving to the lake.
pattern: strap + object + onto + noun
All passengers must strap their bags into the overhead compartment during takeoff.
The nurse carefully strapped the patient into the wheelchair before moving him.
Wren strapped the tent and sleeping bags tightly to the back of the motorcycle.
文法句型
strap + object + onto/to/into + noun phrase
strap + object + down/together
用法筆記
Commonly used with prepositions such as 'into' (strap into a seat), 'onto' (strap onto a vehicle), or 'to' (strap to a frame). When the object is a person, it usually implies safety restraint.
常見錯誤
2. to hit or punish someone with a leather strap, especially as a form of disciplin
to hit or punish someone with a leather strap, especially as a form of discipline in the past
In the old school records, boys were occasionally strapped for talking in class.
passive: be strapped for [offence]
The former soldier recalled being strapped by his commanding officer for arriving late.
Vikram read that sailors in the past were strapped as a routine punishment on ships.
The old teacher admitted that she had been strapped as a child for talking back.
文法句型
strap + person
be/get strapped + for + offence
用法筆記
Commonly appears in past-tense or passive constructions when describing historical punishment by teachers, parents, or officers. Rarely used for modern discipline in most English-speaking countries.
3. to wrap a sprained or injured joint with strips of adhesive tape or elastic band
to wrap a sprained or injured joint with strips of adhesive tape or elastic bandage in order to support and protect it
The physiotherapist strapped up Lan's ankle after the game to prevent further injury.
British medical usage: strap up [body part]
Ilan strapped his wrist tightly before continuing to play tennis with the injury.
After the fall, the team doctor strapped the runner's knee and advised him to rest.
The coach strapped the player's injured shoulder before sending him back onto the field.
文法句型
strap + body part + up
用法筆記
Primarily used in British and Australian English. In American English, 'tape' or 'wrap' is more common for this meaning. Often appears with 'up' as a phrasal verb: 'strap up'.