strait
n
1 [C often pl with sing meaning, esp in proper names 常以复数表示单数意义, 尤用於专有名称]
narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water 海峡; (联接两大水域之间的)狭窄水道
the Straits of Gibraltar 直布罗陀海峡
the Magellan Straits 麦哲伦海峡.
2 straits [pl]
trouble; difficulty 困难
be in (dire/desperate/serious) financial straits 陷於(恶劣的[极度的/严重的])财务困境中.
It is better to ask for help at the beginning rather than to wait until a busy period when everyone is rushed off their feet.
最好在开始工作时就请人帮忙,而不是等到大学都忙得不可开交的时候。
Even before India won independence from its British rulers, it was clear that Gandhi was the key figure and leader in the struggle of 380 million Indians to govern themselves.