one of many tissues in the body that can tighten and relax to produce movement

neck/back/leg/stomach muscles 颈／背／腿／胃部肌肉

facial muscles 脸部肌肉

bulging/rippling (= large and clear to see) muscles 鼓起的肌肉

He flexed his muscles (= tightened them to make them look large and strong) so that everyone could admire them. 他将肌肉紧绷起来，这样大家就能欣赏到他的肌肉块。

These exercises build muscle and increase stamina. 这些运动能强健肌肉、增加体力。

a muscle spasm (= a sudden uncontrollable tightening movement) 肌肉痉挛

to injure a muscle by stretching it too far so that it is very painful

Russell pulled a back muscle early in the game. 比赛开始没多久拉塞尔就拉伤了背部肌肉。

the power to do difficult things or to make people behave in a certain way

This magazine has considerable financial muscle and can afford to pay top journalists. 这家杂志财力雄厚，能雇得起顶尖的记者。

The company lacks the marketing muscle to compete with drug giants. 这家公司缺乏销售实力，无法与药业巨头竞争。