1a band or bundle of fibrous tissue in a human or animal body that has the ability to contract, producing movement in or maintaining the position of parts of the body:the calf muscle [mass noun]:the sheet of muscle between the abdomen and chest
a muscle or muscles when well developed or prominently visible under the skin:his muscles rippled beneath his tanned skin
2 [mass noun] physical power; strength:he had muscle but no brains
informal a man or men exhibiting physical power or strength, typically employed to use or threaten violence:an ex-marine of enormous proportions who’d been brought along as muscle
power or influence, especially in a commercial or political sphere:many companies lack the financial muscle to adopt a more hard-nosed relationship with buyers
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with object and adverbial] chiefly North American move (an object) in a particular direction by using one’s physical strength:they were muscling baggage into the hold of the plane
coerce by violence or by economic or political pressure:he was eventually muscled out of the market
flex one's muscles
give a show of strength or power:the committee likes to flex its political muscles from time to time
not move a muscle
not move at all:the driver shouted in his ear, but he did not move a muscle
muscle in/into
informal use one’s power or influence to interfere with or become involved in (another’s affairs):the banks' attempts to muscle in on the insurance business
muscle up
US informal build up one’s muscles:to prepare for his role, he cut his hair, muscled up, and went to boot camp
