strike up

Học thuật
Thân thiện
strike up

The two friends strike up a conversation at the bus stop.

Definition

Verb (transitive or intransitive) 1. To begin or initiate something, especially a conversation, relationship, or piece of music. * It often implies a spontaneous or informal start. * When referring to music, it means for a band or musician to begin playing.

Usage
  • The verb is commonly followed by the preposition "with" when specifying the other party in a conversation or friendship (e.g., strike up a conversation a stranger).
  • It can be used with objects like "conversation," "friendship," "relationship," "tune," "song," or "music."
  • The phrasal verb itself means "to begin." Do not confuse it with the separate verb "strike" meaning to hit.
Examples
  • Strike up a conversation: It's easy to strike up a conversation with her at a party.
  • Strike up a friendship: They struck up a friendship during their first year at university.
  • Strike up (music): The band struck up a lively polka as the couple entered the hall.
  • Strike up with someone: He struck up with an interesting fellow traveler on the train.
Advanced Usage
  • "to strike up the band": A classic idiom meaning to signal the band to begin playing.
    • The conductor raised his baton to strike up the band.
Variants and Related Words
  • Strike (verb): A separate word with many meanings, primarily to hit. The phrase "strike up" is a distinct phrasal verb.
  • Strike-up (noun): A rare, informal noun meaning the beginning of something, especially a musical piece.
    • The strike-up of the national anthem silenced the crowd.
Synonyms
  • Begin: To start.
  • Initiate: To cause something to begin.
  • Commence: A more formal word for begin.
  • Start up: To begin operation or activity.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Strike out: To start on a journey or new venture; to fail.
    • He struck out on his own to start a business.
  • Strike down: To render ineffective (e.g., a law); to kill or incapacitate.
    • The court struck down the old regulation.
Related Idioms
  • Strike while the iron is hot: To act at the most opportune moment.
    • You should ask for a raise now; strike while the iron is hot.
  • Strike a chord: To cause an emotional response or sense of recognition.
    • Her speech about community struck a chord with the audience.
strike up

The two friends strike up a conversation at the bus stop.

Verb
  1. begin
    • strike up a conversation
    • strike up a friendship
  2. start playing
    • The musicians struck up a tune

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ gần giống