Cool MateSuccess vs That's a strike
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Success
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
That's a strike
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: SuccessMost common: Success
| Success | That's a strike | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/səkˈses/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səkˈses/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ə straɪk//🇺🇸 //ðæts ə straɪk// |
| Meaning | When you achieve something you wanted to do. | A strike means hitting something or getting a good result. |
| Example | His success in the competition made him very proud. | When the bowler knocked down all the pins, the crowd cheered, 'That's a strike!' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | enormous, great, immense, amount, degree, level, achieve, attain, enjoy, come, lie (in something), depend on something, rate, story, factor, with success, without success, success in, a chance of success, a hope of success, confident of success, resounding, roaring, rousing, be, prove, have, wish somebody (every) success | get a strike, call a strike, that's a strike |
| Antonyms | failure, defeat, setback | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'successfully', which is an adverb., Used incorrectly as a verb instead of the noun form., Misplaced in sentences, such as 'We have success' instead of 'We are successful'. | Confusing with 'that's a hit' which is more general., Using 'strike' in a non-sporting context when it's not appropriate., Overusing the expression in non-competitive scenarios. |
| Usage notes | Use 'success' when talking about achieving goals or winning in a friendly context. Avoid using it in negative situations or as a mockery. | Used in casual conversation, often in sports or games. Not typically used in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Success vs That's a strike
What's the difference between Success and That's a strike?
Success: When you achieve something you wanted to do. That's a strike: A strike means hitting something or getting a good result.
Which is more formal: Success and That's a strike?
Success is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Success and That's a strike?
Success is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Success: His success in the competition made him very proud. That's a strike: When the bowler knocked down all the pins, the crowd cheered, 'That's a strike!'
Can I use Success and That's a strike interchangeably?
Not always. Success and That's a strike are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.