strain every nerve

With this end in view Anne had strained every nerve during the examinations.

She strained every nerve and fiber to speed her to that road of glory.

I do hope that you will strain every nerve, my darling, to get your mother to consent to this change.

We fell victims to the epidemic and strained every nerve to acquire more "feet."

I summoned up all my remaining strength, straining every nerve, and waited for death.

The novice had strained every nerve to follow the proceedings, but he found himself badly at sea.

At the same time he did not lose sight of the funded debt, but strained every nerve to have it reduced.

The lecturer went so fast, her heart beat excitedly, she seemed to be straining every nerve.

Yet she had done her best; had strained every nerve for Armand's sake.

He was evidently trying to get away, whilst she was straining every nerve to keep him back for a moment or two.

Why not, then, strain every nerve to hold innovation at bay and prolong that splendour for all time?

We pulled up our panting steeds, and strained every nerve to hear the cry of the hounds.

In a race, straining every nerve.

Vincent strained every nerve to turn himself into a draughtsman acceptable to the illustrated papers, and the strain showed.

Then he swung his legs over the side of the bed and put on his shoes, straining every nerve to hear the sounds from downstairs.

In consequence we strained every nerve.

Of course it would be very unpleasant for him to have to travel at such a time, and we must strain every nerve to prevent it.

These words of his so spurred me on, that I Strained every nerve, behind him scrambling up, Until the circle was beneath my feet.

The French police and our own Scotland Yard men and the military are straining every nerve.

There never was a man in love who did not declare that, if he strained every nerve to breaking, he was going to have his desire.

I hear the train a-coming round the curve, A-whistling and a-blowing, and straining every nerve.

He gropes mentally, 'straining every nerve in an agonised attempt to divine as quickly as Possible where the trap lay'.

Straining every nerve, he forced his voice up to the incredibly high frequency of pulses the Outsiders used, a shrill scream, one word repeated: "Help!

Although the grey colt "strained every nerve", he finished a well-beaten third behind Amato, with Ion taking second place.