strain a point

strain a point (third-person singular simple present strains a point, present participle straining a point, simple past and past participle strained a point)

1. (idiomatic) To make a special effort; especially, to do a degree of violence to some principle or to one's own feelings.
   • 1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle:

     I want you to strain a point, Mr Bellingham, and to do me a service which I assure you you shall never have any cause to regret. I want you to wire instructions down the line to detain this Arab and his companions and to keep them in custody until the receipt of further instructions.