Strain meaning?

Question

What does it mean when someone says something "strains credulity" or "strains common sense" ? I know what strain means (to draw tight and possibly injure because of this), but I can't seem to put two and two together. Forgive me if this sounds like a ridiculous question...

Answer 1

It means that one's ability to believe or understand something is 'stretched' or tested to its ripping point.

"It strains credulity for me to believe that you were in the library when you smell like alcohol!"

"It strains common sense for someone to spend their last dollar on lottery tickets."

Ken:>