strike

/straik/

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The word "strike" can have many meanings and uses in English, and it can function as both a noun and a verb. I’ll explain it in a simple way and give you examples to help you understand better.

Basic Definition:

1. As a Noun:

   • A "strike" can mean a successful event, like a hit song or a great performance. For example, "That movie was a big strike at the box office."
   • In sports like baseball, a "strike" refers to a pitch that the batter tries to hit but misses, or doesn’t swing at but the umpire says it was in the right area. For example, "The pitcher threw three strikes in a row."
   • A "strike" can also mean a work stoppage where workers refuse to work to protest for better pay or conditions. For example, "The workers went on strike for higher wages."

2. As a Verb:

   • To "strike" means to hit something with force. For example, "He struck the ball with his racket."
   • It can mean to remove something, like "Please strike that comment from the record."
   • It can also mean to affect someone suddenly or strongly, like "She was struck by inspiration."

Usage Instructions:

• Use "strike" as a noun when talking about successes, sports, or work stoppages.
• Use "strike" as a verb to describe hitting something, removing something, or when something suddenly affects you.

Examples:

• Noun: "That new song was a strike; it became very popular."
• Verb: "The teacher struck the table to get everyone's attention."

Advanced Usage:

• As a noun in idiomatic expressions: "The play was a real strike, captivating audiences everywhere."
• As a verb: "The earthquake struck the city unexpectedly."

Word Variants:

• Struck: Past tense of "strike." E.g., "He struck the ball."
• Striking: Adjective meaning impressive or attention-grabbing. E.g., "She has a striking appearance."

Different Meanings:

• In Sports: Refers to a pitch in baseball.
• In Work Context: Refers to a protest against working conditions.
• In General Use: Can mean to hit, to impress, or to affect someone deeply.

Synonyms:

• For the noun: hit, success, work stoppage.
• For the verb: hit, impact, affect, remove.

Idioms:

• "Strike a deal" means to come to an agreement.
• "Strike while the iron is hot" means to take action at the right moment.

Phrasal Verbs:

• Strike out: To fail or miss.
• Strike up: To begin something, usually a conversation or a relationship.

Academic

Noun

1. a conspicuous success
   • that song was his first hit and marked the beginning of his career
   • that new Broadway show is a real smasher
   • the party went with a bang
2. (baseball) a pitch that the batter swings at and misses, or that the batter hits into foul territory, or that the batter does not swing at but the umpire judges to be in the area over home plate and between the batter's knees and shoulders
   • this pitcher throws more strikes than balls
3. a score in tenpins: knocking down all ten with the first ball
   • he finished with three strikes in the tenth frame
4. a gentle blow
5. an attack that is intended to seize or inflict damage on or destroy an objective
   • the strike was scheduled to begin at dawn
6. a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
   • the strike lasted more than a month before it was settled

Verb

1. arrive at after reckoning, deliberating, and weighing
   • strike a balance
   • strike a bargain
2. pierce with force
   • The bullet struck her thigh
   • The icy wind struck through our coats
3. smooth with a strickle
   • strickle the grain in the measure
4. form by stamping, punching, or printing
   • strike coins
   • strike a medal
5. occupy or take on
   • He assumes the lotus position
   • She took her seat on the stage
   • We took our seats in the orchestra
   • She took up her position behind the tree
   • strike a pose
6. drive something violently into a location
   • he hit his fist on the table
   • she struck her head on the low ceiling
7. cause to experience suddenly
   • Panic struck me
   • An interesting idea hit her
   • A thought came to me
   • The thought struck terror in our minds
   • They were struck with fear
8. remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
   • Please strike this remark from the record
   • scratch that remark
9. produce by ignition or a blow
   • strike fire from the flintstone
   • strike a match
10. find unexpectedly
    • the archeologists chanced upon an old tomb
    • she struck a goldmine
    • The hikers finally struck the main path to the lake
11. cause to form (an electric arc) between electrodes of an arc lamp
    • strike an arc
12. produce by manipulating keys or strings of musical instruments, also metaphorically
    • The pianist strikes a middle C
    • strike `z' on the keyboard
    • her comments struck a sour note
13. attain
    • The horse finally struck a pace
14. touch or seem as if touching visually or audibly
    • Light fell on her face
    • The sun shone on the fields
    • The light struck the golden necklace
    • A strange sound struck my ears
15. stop work in order to press demands
    • The auto workers are striking for higher wages
    • The employees walked out when their demand for better benefits was not met
16. affect or afflict suddenly, usually adversely
    • We were hit by really bad weather
    • He was stricken with cancer when he was still a teenager
    • The earthquake struck at midnight
17. indicate (a certain time) by striking
    • The clock struck midnight
    • Just when I entered, the clock struck
18. make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target
    • The Germans struck Poland on Sept. 1, 1939
    • We must strike the enemy's oil fields
    • in the fifth inning, the Giants struck, sending three runners home to win the game 5 to 2
19. hit against; come into sudden contact with
    • The car hit a tree
    • He struck the table with his elbow
20. have an emotional or cognitive impact upon
    • This child impressed me as unusually mature
    • This behavior struck me as odd
21. deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
    • The teacher struck the child
    • the opponent refused to strike
    • The boxer struck the attacker dead

Synonyms

• hit
• smash
• smasher
• bang
• ten-strike
• rap
• tap
• work stoppage
• strickle
• mint
• coin
• assume
• take
• take up
• come to
• scratch
• expunge
• excise
• fall
• shine
• walk out
• impinge on
• run into
• collide with
• affect
• impress
• move