People were 'straining their necks' [=were lifting their heads as high as they could by stretching their necks] to see the fight.
He 'cracked/collapsed/buckled under the strain'. [=he was not able to deal with the pressure]
I 'strained my ears' to hear [=I tried very hard to hear] what they were whispering.
(..) anything quite as gruesome as this." And while the amniotic sac wasn't punctured... and isn't ruptured... we are seeing signs of strain on the cervix. Most likely caused by the trauma. Which is why... I am putting you on bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy. Now, you can get up (..)2014 Annabelle