B2verb1K

Strike

UK /["/straɪk/","/straɪks/","/strʌk/","/ˈstraɪkɪŋ/"]/US /["/straɪk/","/straɪks/","/strʌk/","/ˈstraɪkɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to hit somebody/something hard or with force

In simple words: to hit something or to stop working as a protest

Examples

  • The workers decided to strike for better wages and working conditions.
  • You should not strike a match near flammable materials.
  • She felt a strange feeling strike her as she entered the old house.
  • He went to the playground to strike up a conversation with another parent.
  • The team was hoping to strike a deal with the sponsors soon.
  • As the clock hit midnight, an idea struck him like a lightning bolt.
  • The tennis player managed to strike the ball perfectly during the match.
  • The sudden noise made me jump; it felt like a strike of thunder.

Usage notes

Use 'strike' when talking about hitting something or when workers stop working to demand change. It's neutral in tone, fitting for both formal and casual situations. Avoid in overly technical discussions about labor laws.

Grammar pattern

strike + object (hit) / strike (stop working)

Memory hint

Think of a baseball 'strike' — it means hitting or missing successfully.

Collocations

  • firmly
  • hard
  • deep
  • be about to
  • be going to
  • be ready to
  • against
  • at
  • on
  • be struck by lightning
  • get struck by lightning
  • be struck down by something
  • firmly
  • hard
  • deep
  • be about to
  • be going to
  • be ready to
  • against
  • at
  • on
  • be struck by lightning
  • get struck by lightning
  • be struck down by something
  • firmly
  • hard
  • deep
  • be about to
  • be going to
  • be ready to
  • against
  • at
  • on
  • be struck by lightning
  • get struck by lightning
  • be struck down by something
  • immediately
  • suddenly
  • just
  • as
  • immediately
  • suddenly
  • just
  • as
  • threaten to
  • vote to
  • be set to
  • against
  • for
  • in protest at
  • the right to strike
  • firmly
  • hard
  • deep
  • be about to
  • be going to
  • be ready to
  • against
  • at
  • on
  • be struck by lightning
  • get struck by lightning
  • be struck down by something

Synonyms

  • chime

Antonyms

  • surrender
  • accept

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'struck' as past tense
  • Using 'strike' for non-physical hits like arguments
  • Saying 'the worker strike' instead of 'the workers' strike'