Damned queer drunk is strained (4,5)

I believe the answer is:

drum tight

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'strained' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'damned queer drunk' is the wordplay.
'damned' becomes 'd' (this could be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'queer' becomes 'rum' (synonyms).
'drunk' becomes 'tight' (I've seen this before).
'd'+'rum'+'tight'='DRUM TIGHT'

'is' acts as a link.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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