酷使

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 酷使 (こくし) means using a body part or machine excessively enough to strain it.
• Basic usage: 目を酷使した describes overworking the eyes; 機械を酷使すると sets overuse as a condition for breakdown.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Overstraining eyes and machinery
  • The affected thing takes を, and the term implies harmful excess rather than merely long use.