筋すじ張ばる

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

become sinewy; become stringy; become stiff (physically)

Describes muscles, meat, or other physical things becoming tough, fibrous, or stiff.

• この肉にくは焼やきすぎて筋すじ張ばってしまった。

  This meat has become tough and stringy from being overcooked.

• 運うん動どう不ぶ足そくで体からだが筋すじ張ばってきた。

  My body has become stiff from lack of exercise.

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

become stiff (attitude/conversation); become formal; become awkward

Used for situations, attitudes, or conversations that become rigid, overly formal, or uncomfortable.

• 彼かれが来きてから、会かい話わが急きゅうに筋すじ張ばってしまった。

  After he arrived, the conversation suddenly became stiff.

• 初しょ対たい面めんの人ひとと話はなすときは、どうしても筋すじ張ばってしまう。

  When talking with someone I'm meeting for the first time, I can't help but become formal.