strain after/for effect
to try so hard to entertain that it seems false:
I find his style of writing so artificial - he always seems to be straining for effect.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Trying and making an effort
- a blitz on sth idiom
- all-out
- assault
- attempt
- attempted
- bid
- crack
- go the extra mile idiom
- go to great lengths idiom
- God helps those who help themselves idiom
- grasp at sth
- grope
- push
- shoot
- stick
- stretch a/the point idiom
- strive
- strove
- succeed
- suck
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