strap
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a narrow strip of leather, cloth, or plastic used to fasten, carry, or hold onto something.
n.a long, narrow, pliable strip of material used for binding, fastening, or as a handle for carrying.
Simple“The strap on my backpack broke because the books were too heavy.”
In context“She adjusted the leather strap of her watch, ensuring the sensor remained in contact with her wrist for an accurate heart rate reading.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a slang word for a gun, usually a small one like a pistol.
n.a slang term for a personal firearm, typically a handgun.
Simple“In many action movies, the main character is always carrying a strap.”
In context“The lyrics often reference carrying a strap as a metaphor for the constant threat of violence in high-crime urban environments.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a specific way of trading stocks using options to bet that prices will go up.
n.an options strategy involving one put and two calls with the same strike price and expiration, used when high volatility is expected with a bullish bias.
Simple“The trader used a strap because he thought the stock price would jump significantly.”
In context“By employing a strap rather than a standard straddle, the investor increased their potential profit from a significant upward price movement while maintaining some downside protection.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to tie or move something into place using a strip of material.
v.to secure, bind, or fasten an object in place using a strap or similar flexible material.
Simple“Make sure you strap the surfboard tightly to the roof of the car.”
In context“The paramedics worked quickly to strap the patient onto the stretcher before navigating the narrow staircase to the ambulance.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to hit someone with a leather strip as a punishment.
v.to beat or chastise a person or animal using a leather strap.
Simple“In the old days, teachers might strap students who misbehaved in class.”
In context“The historical novel describes a time when sailors were routinely strapped for even the most minor infractions of naval discipline.”
From a variant of earlier strope (“loop on a harness”), from Middle English strope, stroppe, from Late Old English strop, stropp (“a band, thong, strap; oar-thong”) and Old French estrope (“strap, loop on a harness”), both from Latin stroppus, struppus (“strap”), from Ancient Greek στρόφος (stróphos, “rope”) (compare strophe), from στρέφω (stréphō, “to twist”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European strebʰ- (compare Proto-West Germanic stroppōn (“to twist, writhe”)). Cognate with Scots strap, strop (“strap, band, thong”), Dutch strop (“noose, strop, loop”), Low German Strop (“strap”), German Struppe, Strüppe, Strippe (“string, cord”), Danish strop (“strap”), Swedish stropp (“strap, loop”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.