Do your utmost to get variety (6)
I believe the answer is:
strain
'variety' is the definition.
('strain' can be a synonym of 'variety')
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for strain that I've seen before include "Drain off" , "Try too hard" , "Tension and exertion" , "tax" , "Noted" .)