strike1 verbstrike2 noun
strikestrike1 /straɪk/ ●●● S3 W3 verb (past tense and past participle struck /strʌk/) 
WORD ORIGINstrike1
Origin:
Old English strican ‘to touch lightly, go’VERB TABLE
strike
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | strike |
| he, she, it | strikes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | struck |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have struck |
| he, she, it | has struck | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had struck |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will strike |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have struck |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am striking |
| he, she, it | is striking | |
| you, we, they | are striking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was striking |
| you, we, they | were striking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been striking |
| he, she, it | has been striking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been striking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be striking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been striking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A house nearby had been struck by a falling tree.
- Evidence shows that the victim had been struck several times with an iron bar.
- Female workers are often more reluctant than men to strike in order to get what they want.
- He struck her across the face and broke her nose.
- Her husband had never struck her before.
- I looked around the glittering room and it struck me that I was probably the poorest person there.
- In anger, he struck the wall with a stick.
- It struck her one day, when she was walking home from school, that she hadn't thought about her weight for over a month.
- It is always devastating when this illness strikes.
- It just struck me - you must have been in the same class as my brother.
- Lightning struck the barn and set it on fire.
- Morris struck his drum, and the band started to march down the street.
- Most people were fast asleep when the hurricane struck at 4.05 pm.
- My mother was always asking questions, and it struck me as odd that she didn't ask one on this occasion.
- Teachers were not striking for higher pay, but for higher standards in education.
- The ball struck him in the face.
- The Cardinals struck first with two touchdowns in the first quarter.
- The clock had just struck two.
- The court heard that the defendant had struck Payne repeatedly in the face, causing serious bruising.
- The flight attendants are threatening to strike.
- He began with the departure from Troy and the storm that struck the Fleet.
- Her arrow was the first to strike it.
- In the final analysis, the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision struck down the first display and upheld the second one.
- It's like striking a match, Meg.
- The gang has struck at several homes in Monaghan, Cavan and Armagh stealing money from pensioners.
- The London Planetarium no longer strikes one with quite the same sense of awe, because planetariums are no longer new.
- This strikes me as just as arrogant and insular as would be a judgment pronounced on a ghetto kid.
THESAURUS
to begin to understand, notice, or know something that you did not understand etc before: · I hadn’t realized that Ben was his brother.· She suddenly realized who the man in the photograph was.
to gradually realize that something is happening or is true, over a period of time: · He slowly became aware that he was not alone· People are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of cars on the environment.
if something dawns on you, you realize it for the first time – often used in the phrase it dawned on somebody: · It dawned on me that he could be lying.· It only dawned on her that she was in danger when she saw rescue workers running away from the building.· He thought about the dream for a long time before its meaning began to dawn on him.
if something sinks in, you begin to realize its full meaning or importance, especially gradually: · It took a few minutes for the doctor’s words to sink in.· The reality of what I had done slowly began to sink in.
if a fact hits you, you suddenly understand it and how important it is: · It hit me one day that he didn’t care. He’d talk when I phoned him, but he’d never call me.
if an idea or thought strikes you, you suddenly think of it: · It suddenly struck her what a risk she was taking.· A thought has just struck me - there must be other people with the same problem.
to hit someone to hit someone quickly and hard with your hand, a stick etc: · He hit him hard in the stomach.· I don’t like to see people hitting a dog.
to hit someone deliberately many times, especially very hard: · The girl had been beaten to death.· He was beating the donkey with a stick.
written to hit someone with your hand or a weapon. Strike is more formal than hit and is mainly used in written English: · Her husband struck her twice across the face.· Police say that the man had been struck on the head.
to hit someone hard with your closed hand, especially in a fight: · I punched him on the nose.· She was screaming and punching him with her fists.
informal to punch someone very hard: · Sometimes I just want to thump him.
to hurt someone badly in a violent attack, by hitting them many times: · If I tell the police, they'll beat me up.· He had been beaten up and tortured with lighted cigarettes.
to hit someone with your open hand, especially because you are angry with them: · They had a big row and she ended up slapping him.
(also smack especially British English) to hit someone, especially a child, with your open hand in order to punish them: · Should a parent ever smack a child?· I don’t agree with smacking.· In those days, children were spanked if they behaved badly.
to hit something · Jack hit the ball and it flew over the fence.
to hit a door or window with your closed hand in order to attract the attention of the people inside: · Someone was knocking on the door.· I knocked loudly but no one came.
written to hit a surface. Strike is more formal than hit and is mainly used in written English: · The ball struck the side of the goal.
informal to hit something very hard: · Edmonds whacked the ball into the air.
to hit something hard, especially in a way that causes damage: · The police had to bash the door down to get in.
to gently hit something with your fingers, often in order to attract someone’s attention: · I tapped him on the shoulder.· I heard someone tapping on the window.
to knock quickly or hit something several times: · He rapped the table with his pen to bring the meeting to order.· Two police officers rapped on the door at 7 o'clock in the morning.
to suddenly hit something hard, in a way that makes a loud noise: · Her father banged his fist down on the table angrily.· The door suddenly banged shut.
written to hit something many times with a lot of force: · I could hear the sea pounding on the rocks.· She pounded on the door and shouted wildly.
written to hit something quickly many times making a loud continuous noise: · The rain was hammering on the roof.· A crowd of people were outside hammering on the door angrily.
used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · When did the accident happen?· Something terrible has happened!
to happen – used especially when talking about events that have been planned or that have already happened: · The conference will take place on the 16th of June.· The competition took place on Saturday 30th June.
formal to happen – used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · The incident occurred outside the police station at around 9 pm.
used when saying that a particular event happens: · There was an earthquake about a week ago.· There are strikes almost every year.
to happen – used about problems, questions, or opportunities: · There aren’t any jobs at the moment, but we’ll let you know if something comes up.· This question often comes up when I’m talking to students.
formal to happen unexpectedly – used about problems, arguments, or difficult situations: · A dispute arose about who should receive the money.· It is best to deal with the problem as soon as it arises.
to happen – used about problems or difficult situations, especially ones that are less serious, and can quickly be dealt with: · The banks will contact their customers if a problem crops up.
to happen suddenly and unexpectedly – used about very bad events: · The hurricane struck at around 1 am.· Disaster struck, and he lost all movement in his legs.
to happen in a particular way: · Luckily, everything turned out well.· How did it all turn out?
Longman Language Activatorto stop working in order to get higher wages etc if workers go on strike , they stop working in order to demand better pay or working conditions, or to protest about something: · In 1926, all Britain's miners, railway workers, and transport workers went on strike.go on strike for: · The engineers have gone on strike for better pay and shorter working hours.go on indefinite strike (=go on strike until something is done to change a situation): · From tomorrow, we're going on indefinite strike unless something's done to reduce the number of accidents in the factory.
if workers strike , they stop working in order to demand higher wages etc - used especially in news reports: · Female workers are often more reluctant than men to strike in order to get what they want.strike for: · Teachers were not striking for higher pay, but for higher standards in education.
British if a group of workers come out on strike , they deliberately stop working as a protest, especially after discussions with their employers have failed to produce any agreement: · Union leaders are calling on their members to come out on strike from next Monday.come out on strike in support of somebody/something: · The government just didn't expect teachers to come out on strike in support of the miners.
if workers walk out , they stop working and leave the place where they are working, especially when this has not been planned but happens as a protest about something that has just happened: · This afternoon, three hundred car workers walked out as a protest over cuts in overtime.· Ambulance drivers have threatened to walk out if their pay claim is rejected.
British if workers in a factory down tools , they stop working as a protest about something that has just happened: · After their workmate was sacked, the other machinists all downed tools until she was reinstated.
if workers are on strike , they have stopped working in order to demand higher wages etc: · Some two-thirds of the country's diamond miners are now on strike.be out on strike: · There were frequent power cuts when the electricity workers were out on strike.
when workers are on strike · The offices were closed by a strike that lasted two months.miners'/teachers'/railworkers' etc strike · Since the miners' strike, thirty of the mines in the area have been closed.coal/rail/dock etc strike · The roads were a nightmare as commuters were hit by a rail strike.call a strike (=ask workers to strike) · When union bosses called a strike in protest over low pay, the response was overwhelming.call off a strike (=stop striking) · The administration has officially asked transportation workers to call off their strike.general strike (=when most workers in a country strike) · Following a general strike and calls for his resignation, the President was arrested on 26 March.strike action · Shipbuilders and dockers were solidly in favour of strike action in support of their claim.
when a group of workers try to persuade their employer to improve pay or conditions, either by going on strike or by doing less work than they usually do: · Exactly what form the industrial action will take is not yet known.· Most of the workers are against industrial action, but are asking for talks with employers.take industrial action: · A survey of 2,000 federation members had shown that 48% believed police should have the right to take industrial action.
when workers do only the amount of work they legally have to do and no more, as a protests against something: · Because of their work-to-rule, teachers were no longer taking after-school clubs or supervising lunch hours.
British also work stoppage American when a group of workers stop working for a short time until their complaint, protest, or demand is dealt with: · Customs officers will return to work today after a twenty-four hour stoppage.· Railworkers in central Poland also joined the stoppage, cutting the link with the industrial south-west.· The plan is likely to be met with work stoppages and other labor disruptions.
British when a group of workers deliberately work more slowly than usual as a way of protesting about low wages, bad working conditions etc: · The hospital seemed to be treating as many patients as possible before the go-slow came into effect.
when everyone agrees on a decision, plan etc if two or more people agree , they reach a decision about what to do, and they are all satisfied with it: · Ultimately the two sides could not agree, and negotiations were abandoned.agree on: · We've finally agreed on a date for the party.agree to do something: · They agreed to meet up later in the week.agree that: · Finally, after some tough negotiating, it was agreed that the workforce would be reduced by 10%.agree a price/plan/strategy etc: · After a few minutes' discussion we had agreed a price and the car was mine.the agreed price/date/figure etc: · We refused to pay because the goods were not delivered by the agreed date.it is agreed (=a group of people have agreed about something): · It was agreed that the price should be fixed at $200.we are (all) agreed (=say this when everyone in a group has agreed about something): · Right then, are we all agreed?
to finally agree on something, by discussing it until everyone is satisfied with the decision: · After two years of talks, the Russians and the Americans finally reached an agreement.reach agreement/come to an agreement with: · We are determined to reach agreement with the IMF before the end of the year.· Danvers had come to a private agreement with the owners of the land which secured his right to purchase it.reach agreement/come to an agreement on: · After a week of talks, Britain and Iceland reached agreement on fishing limits.come to some agreement (=find a way to agree): · If you can't pay all the money now, I'm sure we can come to some agreement.
also do a deal British, /cut a deal American to make an agreement with someone so that you get what you want, and they get what they want: · If he's willing to argue about the price, then he must want to do a deal.make a deal with: · The government denied making a deal with the kidnappers.· He looked at me suspiciously. "Have you made a deal with them?"· The administration is showing a willingness to cut a deal with Congress on gun-control legislation.
to agree to do something for someone else if they will do something for you: · Let's make a bargain. I'll tell you what you want to know provided you don't breathe a word of it to anyone else.strike/make a bargain with: · Eventually she struck a bargain with him. She would get him a job if he would help her with her singing.strike/make a bargain that: · They made a bargain that they would stick together no matter what.
to attack someone because they attacked you to attack someone because they have attacked you first: · The government wants peace, but will not hesitate to retaliate if attacked.· She decided not to retaliate physically, because it would put her in even greater danger.retaliate by doing something: · When police tried to push back the crowd, a few youths retaliated by throwing stones at them.· Later that day, whites retaliated by killing a young black delivery driver. retaliate against: · He has promised to take tough measures to retaliate against extremists. retaliate for (=because of what someone has done to you): · In an interview, Tyson claimed he was retaliating for Holyfield's attack on him.retaliate with: · I fully accept that it was wrong of the guards to retaliate with blows and kicks.
an attack that an army makes after it has been attacked by an enemy: · The enemy had started a vicious counter-attack, forcing the French into the woods.launch/mount a counter-attack: · Allied forces were regrouping in order to launch a counter-attack.
to attack a person or army that has attacked you first, especially in order to try and show that you are very strong and cannot be defeated: · The tanks and artillery will hit back hard if the ceasefire is broken.hit back/strike back with: · Less than 24 hours after this cross-border raid, army jets hit back with a devastating air strike.hit back/strike back at: · He suspected that the US would take the opportunity to strike back at the Axis forces.
: tit-for-tat killings/murders/response etc a killing, reaction etc done because someone has done something similar to someone in your group: · Any hope of peace is destroyed by these endless tit-for-tat attacks.· The murder is thought to have been a tit-for-tat response by the Mafia to an earlier gangland killing.
to attack someone suddenly and unexpectedly if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then suddenly attack them: · The rebel group successfully ambushed a regiment of American reinforcements.· He was afraid he would be stopped by government troops or, even worse, ambushed by the Vietcong. · Parker ambushed a school bus on a field trip and held 17 children and their teacher hostage.
to suddenly be attacked by people or animals, especially when you are going somewhere - used especially in written or literary contexts: · He had been set upon by bat-wielding racists, so he understood how I felt.· The drivers were set upon by a mob, including several women, which showered them with stones.
also turn upon to suddenly attack someone you are with, especially when it is very unexpected: · Red with rage, Frank turned on Anna, grasping her arm in a vice-like grip.· Then the warriors turned upon each other, for a fight to the death.
to make a quick sudden attack especially on someone who is not expecting to be attacked: · They felt sure the killer would strike again, but could not say when.· The police struck at dawn in a carefully timed operation to catch the bombers.
to suddenly jump on another person from a place where you have been hiding, in order to catch or attack them: be ready/waiting/set to pounce: · He crouched on the ground, like an animal ready to pounce.pounce on: · Before he could rescue it, the cat pounced on the bird and carried it to the bushes.
informal to attack someone suddenly and usually from behind, in order to injure them or to rob them: · Two guys tried to jump me in the park last night.· He climbed over the wall and jumped the guard, easily overpowering him.
to use an opportunity: take the opportunity to do something · I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help.take the opportunity of doing something · I'm going to take every opportunity of going to see Brian while he's living in Germany.
informal to quickly use an opportunity to do something, especially when you think you might not get another chance: · It may be the last time he offers you the job so I'd grab the chance while you can.grab the chance to do something: · Knowing how difficult it is to find a job I grabbed the chance to be trained as an electrician.
to eagerly and quickly use an opportunity to do something: · The early retirement plan is excellent and I'm surprised that people haven't jumped at the opportunity.jump at the chance/opportunity to do something: · When the resort was put up for sale, the Millers jumped at the chance to buy it.· She thought Lewis would jump at the opportunity to make some extra money on weekends.jump at the chance/opportunity of doing something: · Who wouldn't jump at the chance of spending a month in Australia?
to do something quickly, while you are in a situation in which you are most likely to be successful: · Don't wait until tomorrow before you tell him, strike while the iron is hot!
spoken to take the opportunity to do something now while the conditions are good, because you might not be able to do it later: · Let's make hay while the sun shines and finish this project before I start falling asleep.
someone who always looks for and takes opportunities that might make them more successful -- used to show disapproval: · It is difficult to tell whether he really wants to help May or whether he is just an opportunist.· As the finance company started to fail a few opportunists managed to make more money out of it.
to make two numbers, amounts, situations etc equal · As a parent trying to balance home and career, it's very difficult to find time for a social life.balance something with something · No government so far has been able to balance the number of jobs available with the number of people out of work.
also equalise British to change things so that people are treated equally, especially in their employment: · The Association of Women Teachers in New York fought to equalize male and female pay.· Miners demanded a standard rate throughout the country to equalize wages.
if two amounts, numbers etc balance out , they become equal or have an equal effect, especially if this happens over a fairly long period of time: · Sometimes we have a slight loss and sometimes a slight surplus, but over time they balance out.· Sometimes I do the cooking and sometimes John does - so in the end it all balances out.
if two amounts, or levels even out or you even them out , the differences between them gradually become smaller: even out something: · On cold days the device periodically provides a burst of hot air, to even out the air temperature.even something out: · We want to even the workload out a little, so that no one has more than they can handle.
to achieve a situation in which you give the correct amount of attention and importance to two opposing activities or ideas: · Most reporters are either violently for or violently against the government, but some try to strike a balance.strike a balance between: · School children have to learn to strike a balance between work and play.· Prison reformers are trying to strike a balance between punishing offenders and helping them to avoid repeating their offences.
to make a situation equal or fair again after it has not been fair or equal: · Eventually, if the population of one species rises too much a new epidemic will come along to redress the balance.· Gypsies have often been portrayed as lawless savages, and the film tries to redress the balance by showing their culture as it really is.
to replace or balance something good that has been lost or something bad that has been done, by providing or doing something good: · Nothing they can do will make up for the damage they have caused.· He had to work twice as hard as the other children to make up for his lack of natural ability.more than make up for (=make up for something very well): · The weather was a bit cold, but the beautiful scenery more than made up for it.
to replace or balance something good that has been lost or is lacking, by providing or doing something equally good: · Ray tries to compensate for his shyness by telling a lot of jokes.· It is hoped that the new car's style and design will compensate for its lack of speed.· Failures in this area will have to be compensated for by successes in other areas.
to become someone's friend to start to be someone's friend, especially when you have to make an effort to do this: · Her family moved a lot, and it wasn't always easy to make friends.make friends with: · The children soon made friends with the kids next door.
if two people become friends , they begin to be friends: · They met at an art class and became friends.· I'd known him for years, but we really didn't become friends until high school.
informal if two people hit it off , they immediately become friends when they meet for the first time: · I knew you and Mark would hit it off.· The two men ended up in the same business law class and hit it off immediately.
informal if two people click , they like each other immediately when they first meet, because they have the same ideas or opinions, or laugh at the same things: · We just clicked, and we've been friends ever since.click with: · I never really clicked with my boss, and it made work a little more difficult.
to make friends with someone very quickly, especially if you do it intentionally: · The two women struck up a friendship when they met on holiday.· We met for the first time at a business conference, and we immediately struck up a friendship which has lasted for years.
to be friendly to someone who needs help, for example someone with financial or emotional problems: · His parents befriended some American soldiers who served in Wales during World War II.· It's fairly unusual for high school seniors to befriend freshmen.
also get in with spoken to begin to be friends with a group of people, especially people that other people do not approve of: · He's fallen in with a group of boys I don't like very much.· She used her husband's money and family to get in with a group of Hollywood's social elite.
to happen · The accident happened at two o'clock this afternoon.· What's happened? Why are you crying?· The strangest thing happened when I was in Singapore.· Before I realised what was happening, the man had grabbed my bag and run off with it.anything can/could/might happen (=used to say that it is uncertain what will happen) · You mustn't go there alone at night. Anything might happen!
to happen - use this about events, performances, ceremonies and other things that have been planned to happen: · The wedding will take place at St Andrew's church.· Police are trying to prevent the demonstration from taking place.
if there is an event, accident, change etc, it happens: · There's a concert at the school next Saturday.· There has been a major accident on the Santa Monica Freeway.· I'll let you know if there's any change in our plans.
if a planned event is at a particular time or place, it happens or is arranged to happen at that time or place: · Dinner is at eight, so come at about half past seven.· Christmas will be on a Saturday next year.· Last year's degree ceremony was in the main university building.
formal to happen - use this especially about things that have not been planned or that people do not expect: · Major earthquakes like this occur very rarely.· The court will have to decide exactly what occurred on the night Mellor died.
to happen, especially as a result of earlier events or decisions: · Our problems came about because we ignored the advice of experts.· A number of educational reforms have come about as a result of the report.come about through: · The decrease in the number of salmon has come about through commercial overfishing.how did it come about that: · How did it come about that she married an awful man like that?
informal if something such as a problem crops up , it happens suddenly and unexpectedly: · A couple of problems cropped up while you were away.· If anything crops up, give me a call.· You have to learn to deal with difficult situations when they crop up.
if something, especially a problem or a chance to do something comes up , it happens unexpectedly: · He rang to say he would be late home -- something had come up at the office.· There are job vacancies from time to time. I'll let you know if anything comes up.· When the opportunity to go to the States came up, Dora took it at once.
if a planned event is coming up , it will happen soon: · Don't forget you've got exams coming up in a couple of weeks' time.· Our 12th annual Folk Festival is coming up again soon.
if something such as a job or a chance to do something turns up , it happens or becomes available, especially through good luck: · Ben's been looking for a job for two months, but nothing good's turned up.· I'd almost given up hope of finding a house I liked, and then suddenly this one turned up.
formal if a problem or difficult situation arises , it happens and comes to your attention: · It would be best to deal with these issues at once, before a crisis arises.arise over: · Several problems have arisen recently over questions of pay.arise from (=as a result of something): · The conflict arose from tensions between the different ethnic groups.
if something unpleasant strikes , it suddenly happens: · It is always devastating when this illness strikes.· Most people were fast asleep when the hurricane struck at 4.05 pm.
to hit someone deliberately to hit someone with your hand or with something that you are holding in your hand: · Dad! Peter keeps hitting me!hit with: · The victim had been hit with a baseball bat.hit somebody on the nose/in the stomach/over the head etc: · There was a fight, and someone had hit him over the head with a chair.hit somebody hard (=with a lot of force): · He hit him hard in the stomach.hit somebody back (=to hit someone when they have hit you): · Don't hit him, he'll only hit you back.
also slug informal to hit someone hard with your closed hand, especially in a fight or because you are angry: · The woman claimed that she had been punched and kicked by one of the policemen.· The actor slugged a photographer who got too close.punch somebody on the nose/in the eye/in the chest etc: · Dean punched her in the ribs and pushed her against the wall.
to hit someone, especially on their face, with the flat part of your open hand: · I was so angry I wanted to slap him.slap somebody across the face: · She slapped him across the face and stormed out of the room.slap somebody's face: · Dora slapped his face and ran home.
formal to hit someone, especially on a particular part of their body: · Her husband had never struck her before.strike with: · Evidence shows that the victim had been struck several times with an iron bar.strike somebody on the head/in the stomach etc: · The court heard that the defendant had struck Payne repeatedly in the face, causing serious bruising.
to hit or try to hit someone very hard with a closed hand in a fight: · Rogers threw a punch at Martin.· Foreman, once the World Heavyweight Champion, says 'I never throw a punch in anger.'
informal to hit someone hard, with your hand or with an object: · If he said anything like that to me, I'd whack him!
informal to hit someone very hard with your closed hand, especially on their body rather than on their face or head: · Mike thumped Stephanie's back several times to stop her choking.
spoken to hit someone hard, especially in a fight: bash somebody's head/face/teeth etc in: · I told him I'd bash his head in if he ever touched her again.
spoken to hit someone very hard, either with your hand or with a hard object: · The kids are bored, and have nothing to do but clobber each other.
to hit someone or something accidentally · Be careful with that stick! You nearly hit me with it.· There's a chip on the windshield where a stone hit it.hit somebody on the head/knee etc · The ball hit me in the face.hit your head/knee/elbow etc · The ceiling's very low. Mind you don't hit your head.hit something on/against something · I hit my elbow on the corner of that table.get hit · He ran out into the road and almost got hit.· Buildings that had gotten hit by bombs had still not been repaired.
if you bump into something or someone, you hit them with part of your body accidentally when you are walking or running somewhere: · Jim turned suddenly and bumped into me.· The room was dark, and I bumped into the door .
to accidentally and suddenly hit part of your body against something: bump your head/elbow/knee etc: · Babies are always bumping their heads.bump against: · His right leg bumped against the parking brake.
formal if something, especially a heavy object, strikes something or someone, it hits them hard once: · A house nearby had been struck by a falling tree.· The ball struck him in the face.
to hit someone or something extremely hard, especially while moving very fast: · Tyler injured his shoulder when he crashed into Jesse Lyons during practice.· Parts of the satellite crashed into the sea.go crashing into somebody/something: · He stopped suddenly, and I went crashing into him.· Glasses and bottles went crashing to the floor.
to hit someone or something with a short quick movement: · She knocked me with her elbow as she passed.knock against: · The heavy video camera knocked against his hip as he walked.knock into: · She turned and ran, knocking into bystanders as she went.knock something against/into something: · One of the movers knocked the sofa against a doorway.
to hit someone or something hard, often making a noise and hurting someone or damaging something: bang your head/knee/elbow etc: · I banged my head getting into the car.bang something into/against/on etc something: · Tom bashed his knee against the table.· He slipped, banging his guitar against the door.bang/bash into/against: · Kids raced around the playground, banging into each other, screaming, and letting off steam.
if two people or things collide , they accidentally hit each other when they are moving in different directions: · Barker and Mason collided while going for the ball.· When the plates of land that form the earth collide or slide past each other, earthquakes result.collide with: · I backed out of the door and promptly collided with someone. 'I'm sorry,' I said.
to hit your head, knee, elbow etc hard and painfully against something: crack something on/against something: · He slipped and cracked his head on the steps.· Mary cracked her knee on the corner of her desk.
to hit an object/door/table etc with something · You have to try to hit the ball over the net.· The first time I tried archery, I couldn't even hit the target.
to hit a door or window, especially with your closed hand, in order to attract the attention of the people inside: · Would you mind knocking before you come in?· I waited a moment, then knocked again.knock on/at: · Lula knocked at the back door and he appeared, dressed in pyjamas.· 'Mattie?' called Jerry, knocking on the door.
to hit something gently so that it makes a light noise, especially in order to get someone's attention: · Daley read the notes, tapping a pencil on the desk.tap on/at: · She tapped on the window to attract his attention.
to hit a door, table etc very hard with your hand or with an object, in order to attract attention or because you are angry: · Thomas banged his fist on the table.bang on/at: · I banged at the door but nobody came.· He complained loudly until Val finally banged on the table and shouted at him.bang something shut: · Sherman banged the door shut.
to hit something loudly and very quickly several times in order to attract attention: · The conductor rapped the music stand with his baton and the violins stopped playing.rap on/at: · Seeing her son outside, Mrs Evans rapped on the window and called him back into the house.
formal to hit something hard, especially in a very controlled or skilful way: · Morris struck his drum, and the band started to march down the street.· In anger, he struck the wall with a stick.
also give something a bash British informal to hit something hard with your hand or with a stick, hammer etc especially in a careless way: · If the television stops working, just bash it a couple of times -- that usually helps.· I put the box on the floor and gave it a good bash with my hammer, but it still wouldn't open.
to hit something hard and noisily, especially using a flat object: · Buckley whacked the ball into left field.· The Georgia man whacked his fist on the bar.
to keep hitting something very loudly and quickly especially with your closed hand, because you are angry, impatient etc: hammer on/at/against: · The children hammered at the door to be let in out of the rain.· Her heart hammered against her ribs.
when pictures, films etc do not make things seem real also realise British · Tim only realized his mistake the next day.· Without realising it, we had gone the wrong way.· Oh, is that your chair? Sorry, I didn't realize.realize (that) · She woke up and realised that there was someone moving around downstairs.
if something occurs to you, you suddenly realize that it might be true, especially when you had been thinking something completely different before: it occurs to somebody (that): · It suddenly occurred to me that maybe she was lying.· Didn't it ever occur to you that they would probably like to be alone together?
to slowly realize something, especially over a fairly long period of time: become aware of: · I was slowly becoming aware of how much Melissa was suffering.become aware that: · He became aware that the man sitting opposite was staring at him intently.
if a fact or someone's words sink in , you gradually realize their full meaning: · The news of the President's assassination had only just begun to sink in.· Winning this tournament means so much to me. It hasn't really sunk in yet.
if a fact dawns on you, you slowly start to realize it, especially when you should have realized it before: · The awful truth only dawned on me later.it dawns on somebody that: · It slowly dawned on her that they were all making fun of her.it dawns on somebody how/why etc: · It didn't dawn on me how seriously injured I was until I got to the hospital.
if an idea or thought strikes you, you suddenly realize something: it strikes somebody (that): · It struck her one day, when she was walking home from school, that she hadn't thought about her weight for over a month.· It just struck me - you must have been in the same class as my brother.
if a fact hits you, you suddenly realize its importance or its full meaning and you feel shocked: · The full impact of what he'd said hit me a few hours later.it hits somebody: · Suddenly it hit me. He was trying to ask me to marry him.
to begin to fully realize and understand something, especially after you have avoided thinking about it because it is unpleasant or it makes you feel uncomfortable: · How long will it be before people wake up to the fact that anyone can catch AIDS.· The speaker warned that we must "wake up to the fact that we are in a tough competitive market".
spoken say this when you suddenly realize something that makes a subject or situation easy to understand: · Then it clicked. The man at the station must have been her brother!it clicked what/how/where etc: · Finally it clicked what all the fuss had been about.
to make someone realize how serious, difficult, or dangerous something is: · This is the last place you would expect there to be a murder. It just brings it home to you that this kind of thing can happen anywhere.· It often takes something like a heart attack to bring home to people the danger of smoking.
to seem if someone or something seems happy, dishonest, true etc, that is what you think they are, even though you are not completely certain: seem nice/happy/strange etc (to somebody): · Katie seems happy at her new school.· The whole situation seems very strange to me.seem to be/do something: · Lack of money seems to be the main problem.· Ricky graduated, but didn't seem to know what to do with his life. He was drifting.it seems (that)/it seems to somebody (that) (=use this to say what you think about a situation): · It seems that someone forgot to lock the door.· It seemed to Jim that Amy was worried about something.seem like especially spoken (=seem to be): · Kevin seems like a nice guy.· "Why did you move to New York?" "It seemed like a good idea at the time."there seems to be: · There seems to be something wrong with the TV.it seems as if: · There were so many delays - it seemed as if we would never get home.it seems likely/possible/probable (that): · It seems likely that they will release the hostages soon.
formal to seem: appear to be/do something: · My father appeared to be in good health.· The archaeologists uncovered both domestic structures and what appear to have been commercial buildings.appear calm/rude/angry etc: · It's difficult to ask someone their age without appearing rude.· The city appeared calm after the previous night's fighting.it appears (that): · Police said it appeared that John Seidler's death was an accident, but an investigation continues.
if someone or something looks good, bad, tired etc, that is how they seem to you when you look at them: · That book looks interesting.· Warren looked tired after his long drive.· We had run out of money, and the situation looked pretty hopeless.look like something: · She's really pretty - she looks like a model.· The burglar was holding what looked like a shotgun.look as if: · You look as if you haven't slept all night.it looks as if (=use this to say how a situation seems to you): · It looks as if we are going to need more help.
if someone or something sounds good, bad, strange, angry etc, that is how they seem to you when you hear about them, read about them, or hear them: · Istanbul sounds really exciting.· He sounds a pretty strange person.· I called my dad and told him what has happened. He sounded really angry. sound like: · "We're all going clubbing tomorrow night." "That sounds like fun." it sounds (to me) as if (=use this to say how a situation seems to you when you hear about it): · It sounds to me as if he needs to see a doctor.
to seem to have particular qualities or characteristics, especially because of the way you talk to or behave towards other people: · In the book, Strayhorn comes across as a sympathetic human being, while Stan Getz emerges as a volatile character with a violent temper.come across as being something: · He often comes across as being rather cold and arrogant.come across well/badly: · She doesn't come across well in interviews, but she's very good at her job.
if someone or something gives the impression that something about them is true, they make other people think it is true, especially when it is not: give the impression (that): · Paul liked to give everyone the impression that he knew a lot about cars.· We always leave the lights on when we go out at night, to give the impression there's someone in the house.give the impression of: · Mirrors are used in the dining room in order to give the impression of space.
if a person or situation strikes you as strange, interesting, unusual etc, this is your opinion of how they seem: · What strikes me as odd is the fact that she didn't report the burglary to the police.· She didn't strike me as the type who would want to become a teacher.strike somebody as being/having something: · He never struck me as being very interested in politics.
if someone or something shows signs of age, improvement, tiredness etc, some features of their appearance or behaviour make them seem old, better, tired etc: · The economy is showing no signs of any improvement.· Doctors at the hospital say Mr Crowther is beginning to show signs of recovery, although he is still in intensive care.show signs of doing something: · If the soil shows signs of drying out, water it sparingly.
if a thing or event has all the hallmarks of something, it has all the typical features of someone's work or actions, and therefore seems to have been done or made by them: · The explosion has all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.· The painting isn't signed by Matisse, but it has all the hallmarks of one of his later works.
to seem to involve or be caused by a particular attitude, feeling, or intention, especially a bad one: · The government's new asylum bill seems inhumane, and smacks of racism.· The chairman's decision is disturbing, and smacks of dishonesty.
to start a conversation British /get to talking American · The three of us sat down and after a while we got chatting.get talking/chatting to · I hadn't been there long before someone got talking to me and invited me to a party.get talking/chatting about · Somehow we got to talking about television shows from the '70s.
also get into conversation British to start having a conversation with a stranger, often without intending or expecting to: · After a while the two travellers fell into conversation.fall into conversation/strike up a conversation with: · She got into conversation with a woman at the baker's shop.· My Dad's always striking up conversations with other people in the park.
when a thought comes into your mind to have an idea or thought in your mind, especially one that appears suddenly: · What are you thinking right now?think of: · I've just thought of a really good idea.· Has she thought of any names for the baby?· "Did you ask Rita?" "No, I didn't think of that."think of doing something: · There was water spraying everywhere, but nobody even thought of turning it off.think (that): · I think I'll go and see what's happening out there.
to think of an idea: · I have an idea. Why don't I drive the kids to school and then you can stay here.· Let me know if you have any good ideas.· Theresa had another idea. We would hitchhike to her hometown, and live in her brother's garagehave an idea for: · Collings had an idea for a device that would block out TV programs that parents didn't want their children to watch.
spoken to think something: · I've just had an awful thought. What if all the banks are closed?· I had an interesting thought today when I was talking to Anita. Do you realize that she's never asked us to her house in all the time we've known her?
if a new thought occurs to you, you suddenly think it: it occurs to somebody that: · It suddenly occurred to Miranda that perhaps no one would believe her story.· Didn't it occur to you that I might be worried?something occurs to somebody: · The possibility that he might be wrong never occurs to him.it occurs to somebody to do something: · As I thought about Mel and David and how similar they were, it occurred to me to introduce them to each other.
if a thought crosses someone's mind they think about it for a short time: · "Why didn't you call me?" "The thought did cross my mind while I was shopping this afternoon, but then I forgot all about it.it crossed somebody's mind that: · It crossed my mind that I was the only female coach on the committee, but that made me more determined than ever.it crossed somebody's mind to do something: · Several times it had crossed his mind to check on the car, but he never actually did it.it never crossed somebody's mind: · "It never crossed my mind to give up," he said. "It became an obsession."
if a thought enters someone's mind , they begin to think about it: it entered somebody's mind that: · At that moment it entered my mind that maybe someone was trying to kill him.it entered somebody's mind to do something: · Did it ever enter your mind to take out the garbage?it never entered somebody's mind: · It never entered my mind that Philip might be jealous.
if a thought or idea strikes you, you suddenly think it, especially because of something you have just seen or heard: it strikes somebody that: · I looked around the glittering room and it struck me that I was probably the poorest person there.strike somebody as strike adjective: · My mother was always asking questions, and it struck me as odd that she didn't ask one on this occasion.
if something comes or springs to mind , you suddenly think it, especially in relation to a particular subject that you are considering: · As I read the letter again, a number of thoughts came to mind.· Henry asked the first question that came to mind.· I love the circus life, but when people asked me what I wanted to be when I was older, "circus performer" was not what sprang to mind.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Paul struck him a blow to the head. The assassin’s bullet struck home (=hit exactly where it should). It struck me as odd that the man didn’t introduce himself before he spoke. Such prejudices strike right at the heart of any notions of a civilized society. The scandal seemed to have struck a mortal blow to the government’s chances of re-election. Everything seemed to be going fine when suddenly disaster struck. It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance. Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted). The temple burned down after it was struck by lightning last year. There’s not much left of his house after it was struck by a bolt of lightning. We decided to come out on strike. The loss of Georgia would sound the death knell of Republican hopes. The modern decor strikes a discordant note in this old building. She was struck dumb with terror. I always tried to strike a happy medium between having a home that looked like a bomb had hit it and becoming obsessively tidy. A total of 300 students occupied the building and over 50 went on hunger strike. The ship struck a mine and sank. Ann struck a pose (=stood or sat in a particular position) and smiled for the camera. a series of pre-emptive strikes on guerrilla bases Activists staged a protest outside the parliament.
Paul struck him a blow to the head. The assassin’s bullet struck home (=hit exactly where it should). It struck me as odd that the man didn’t introduce himself before he spoke. Such prejudices strike right at the heart of any notions of a civilized society. The scandal seemed to have struck a mortal blow to the government’s chances of re-election. Everything seemed to be going fine when suddenly disaster struck. It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance. Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted). The temple burned down after it was struck by lightning last year. (=strike when it is exactly one o'clock, two o'clock etc)
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=that workers take in order to protest about pay, working conditions etc)· The miners voted in favour of industrial action.
(=unusual and interesting)· The unusual leaves give the plant a distinctive appearance.
· This is one of the most striking aspects of life in Tokyo.
(=succeed in getting the right balance)· It is necessary to strike a balance between the needs of employers and employees.· Find the right balance between enough exercise and enough rest.
(=starts playing)· We were on the dance floor waiting for the band to strike up.
There’s not much left of his house after it was struck by a bolt of lightning.· The first bullet hit him in the back.
· Its canals are one of Amsterdam’s most striking characteristics.
(=makes eight/nine etc sounds according to the hour)· In the distance I heard a church clock strike eleven.
We decided to come out on strike. formal (=make a compromise)· They met again Wednesday night to try to forge a compromise.
(=very noticeable)· I noticed a marked contrast in his behaviour before and after treatment.
(=agree a deal after a lot of discussions)· The US and North Korea reached a deal about North Korea's nuclear development program.
The loss of Georgia would sound the death knell of Republican hopes. (=happens suddenly)· Congress often gives millions of dollars in foreign aid when natural disasters strike.
The modern decor strikes a discordant note in this old building. (=not far from something, especially something you are going to attack)· Their troops had advanced to within striking distance of the town.
She was struck dumb with terror. (=happens in a particular place)· The region was struck by a major earthquake last year.
(=an unusual or interesting feature)· Her long blonde hair is her most striking feature.
· He and Matthew struck up a friendship.
I always tried to strike a happy medium between having a home that looked like a bomb had hit it and becoming obsessively tidy. A total of 300 students occupied the building and over 50 went on hunger strike. (=an occasion when lightning hits something)· A lightning strike sent a surge through the electricity supply system.
· The house had been hit by lightning.
informal (=be lucky)· I applied for twenty jobs before I struck lucky.
The ship struck a mine and sank. (=to find oil when you are digging for it)· The engineers drilled down a few hundred metres until they hit oil.· The Ohio Oil Company struck oil on May 3rd.
(=used about something so new and different that it makes you notice it)· Any visitor will admire the striking originality of the building's architecture.
Ann struck a pose (=stood or sat in a particular position) and smiled for the camera. a series of pre-emptive strikes on guerrilla bases (=very strong and noticeable)· There's a striking resemblance between the two boys.
(=one that is very noticeable)· This ape's facial expressions show remarkable similarities to ours.
Activists staged a protest outside the parliament.· We should try to get home before the storm hits.
· His fearsome appearance strikes terror into the hearts of his enemies.
(=someone suddenly has a thought)· The thought occurred to him that she might be lying.
(=happens suddenly)· Just when it looked as though everything would turn out right, tragedy struck and Jenny developed a fatal illness.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· I felt my sword bite flesh, a scream, then I struck again.· Back on the mainland she was again struck by the beauty of the scene.· If his body jerked when he was struck again, and fatally, it was no more than an instant's convulsion.· The Great White Shark has struck again.· He waited until I was almost asleep and struck again, just above my ear.· The reader will not find lurid accounts of a vast, secret conspiracy coiled and ready to strike again.· The murderer may well strike again.· Then the Richardson charm struck again.
· Some of the things Edgar had said had struck home.· And then those two words struck home.· That was a shot in the dark, but judging from the expression on his face it struck home.· It must have struck home in some way.· The flinty look in Pargeter's face told Dexter that Blanche had struck home in some way.· The simple idea that resources ought to be concentrated in areas where unemployment is highest has struck home.· Young soccer star Stephen Kilgour strikes home a penalty shot during the interval at Darlington's home match on Saturday.
NOUN· How they strike a balance between the two is at the heart of corporate strategy.· Effective organizations will strike a balance that allows them not only to accept uncertainty but to take advantage of it.· No one can insure against all eventualities and so you strike a balance between the re- and pro- active aspects of your work.· Barnett, however, has been able to strike a rare balance as a broadcaster.· U S West Inc. knows all too well how difficult striking the right balance can be.· We have made our plans; they involve change; they involve striking a balance.· Accounts receivable management requires striking a balance between the cost of extending credit and the benefit received from extending credit.
· The plant strikes a bargain with its emissary.· The town has struck a Faustian bargain, they contend -- trading something of its small-town soul for success.· Historically, an exchange was a physical thing; a room or building where people met to gather information and strike bargains.· So we struck a bargain, or at least I thought we had.· Buyer and seller strike a bargain with each individual purchase.· In order to strike the best possible bargain on setting-day the men might invent stories of difficulty and adverse conditions.· This should enable prosecutors to strike bargains at an appropriate penalty level.· Alternatively, defendants might be able to strike favourable bargains and get off more lightly than they deserve.
· Tommaso had called for action, for striking a blow.· They were certainly striking a blow for short people.· When we did, the enemy almost always had the opportunity of striking the first blow.· Eventually, one of them attacked it with a large branch, striking it a damaging blow.· Let us strike the blow which is to restore peace and union to this distracted land.· We think the killer went in there to clean up immediately after striking the blow.· The guard made a point of gazing into the distance as he struck his blows.
· One young man of John's age wrote to say that the pointlessness of his captivity had struck a chord with him.· The plight of Gerald McClellan struck a chord in Jones.· The film was immensely popular and had so clearly struck a chord that Hammer carried out a rethink of its production policy.· Her language may be a bit highbrow, but it strikes a chord with many of Britain's state school heads.· I believe that most of the incidents that I have described will strike a chord with the vast majority of black people.· Obviously Nunn had struck a responsive chord.
· Then, above the screams of the wind, he heard the great clock striking in the market place.· Starting at midnight, he would begin his routine, closing his eyes and falling asleep before the clock had struck twelve.· A clock had just struck seven.· There was that unmistakable sound of the clock striking thirteen about this unexpected turn of events.· Somewhere downstairs a clock struck a quarter to nine.· He heard a clock strike eight.· And, just like in the fairytale, her fabulous pumpkins spring to life just as the clock strikes midnight.· When they reached the top of the hill, they heard the town clocks strike eight.
· He struck up a conversation, first asking his name.· Demonstrators will attempt to surround the police, strike up conversations and present them with letters.· I recalled he had struck up an intimate conversation with her in the lobby after breakfast.· Others prefer to strike up a conversation with table mates.· Besides, Anna had struck up a conversation with a young girl who'd been swimming in the pool.· I was clueless, of course, but it was an opportunity to strike up an amusing conversation.· However, on striking up a conversation, Chalk, a little the worse for drink, became talkative and boastful.· I, of course, had no choice but to strike up a conversation with the girl who sat next to me.
· It arced across the well of the court, striking the smaller of the two in the back.· Earlier this year federal appellate courts struck down the New York and Washington laws.· The Supreme Court, however, struck down a similar law in Louisiana the following year.· S Court of Appeals struck down on Tuesday the voter-approved Proposition 140.· The court struck down limits on expenditures by candidates themselves, or those made independently on behalf of candidates.· The Court was unanimous in striking down the law but was badly divided over the reasons.· What bothers us more is the seeming predisposition of the federal courts to strike down term-limit laws on just about any pretext.
· In the end, after much to-ing and fro-ing between the labour and liberal democrat camps, a deal was struck.· The plea was part of a deal struck with the Dallas County district attorney.· This means he now has to take any deal struck back to the council.· But the deal is most striking in the way it reshapes Raytheon, based in Lexington, Mass.· But a deal may be struck.· The deal struck has been to raise the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, starting early in the next century.· All these questions must be answered before a deal can be struck.· In most bargaining circumstances a deal can be struck that will satisfy all sides.
· His lead had stretched to half a minute on the soaking track when disaster struck.· In November of 1974, because of the oil crisis, disaster struck Tarrytown.· If in doubt, ask your insurance agent - and read your policy before disaster strikes.· In the midst of all this wandering, family disaster strikes but the travelers continue onward.· Most of us live with that possibility because it is part of the human condition to know that disaster can strike.· Whenever I did this and substituted whoever was handy for the person I was attracted to, disaster struck.· By the late seventies the middle class had expanded beyond the point of safety and disaster did strike.· Once again, disaster struck the party, with nothing but benefits for Daley.
· He and Matthew struck up a friendship - they had something in common; their attitude to life.· At that time Worsley, who is married to Moody, had also struck up a friendship with Nance.· Alone and friendless, she had struck up a casual friendship with Dermot as he showed her Dublin.· Peggy and James strike up a friendship.· Eleanor wrote back wittily and they struck up a friendship.· He appeared to have struck up a useful friendship with the minister for industry, Sean McEntee, among others.
· They struck you on the head and left you locked inside.· He was struck on the head with a club.· She was unconscious as if she had struck her head in the fall.· In the first case, a 17-year-old high school football player struck his head on the ground while being tackled.· His uncle's axe was striking at his head.· It may be quite striking, with the head and extremities exhibiting gross, irregular oscillations exaggerated by voluntary movements.· He flew through the air and struck his head against a tree, his life being saved by the helmet.· Rocio Martinez was one of two Tijuana children struck in the head by stray rounds during the most recent holiday season.
· I predicted that a dramatic event would soon strike at the heart of the Royal Family.· We want to set up an event that will make it appear they have struck at the heart of our government.· The Slav opposition collapsed almost immediately, as if the very name of Charles had struck terror into their hearts.· Every crisis would strike terror into the hearts of people everywhere.· If there is a single subject guaranteed to strike fear in the hearts of parents, it is drugs.· The very physical description of the Huns proved sufficient in and of itself to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies.· Those two little hyphenated words struck terror in the heart of some one eager for a weekend of yoga classes and silent breakfasts.· The man whose very name struck terror in the hearts of managing directors?
· Until then, Ted is staying in temporary accommodation and praying that lightning never strikes 3 times in the same place.· Another bolt of lightning struck behind him, and Eugene felt the air seared into ozone on either side of him.· How long did it take lightning to strike?· He asks why, and lightning strikes him.· If the lightning had struck me like it had Ben, it would have meant no hope for me.· If lightning did strike me in the same minute, it would be treated as a miracle.
· He took one of the smaller candles and, striking a match, held it to the wick.· She was so cold that she struck a match for warmth.· It's like striking a match, Meg.· Eulah Mae saw her sharply strike a match against a square match box to light a cigarette over a fresh beer.· She had so obviously struck a match with some one else.· She struck a match and blew it out.· Some one struck a match at the open door of the landing bedroom.· She saw these things when she struck her matches that she was supposed to sell.
· William Yes-might make it hard to strike a really romantic note.· The book is written in spare prose that seems to want to strike a note of manly reticence.· In such moments of confession he frequently strikes a prophetic note about his future life as a writer.· The name, and the music, struck a note with the local indie community and the festival began to grow.· That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?· That straw yellow struck a bass note that I had forgotten, that was deep in my memory.· Edward Johnston's 1915 sanserif lettering for the Underground still strikes an efficient modern note amidst the dirt and gloom.· Mrs Margaret Thatcher has struck three notes since the Communist world began to disintegrate.
· This is shown vividly when, left finally alone, she strikes a dramatic pose of complete withdrawal from love and happiness.· He struck the same pose on the sideline during overtime.· And then, striking a dramatic pose she announced that she was terribly ashamed.· They strike beautiful poses that could go unaltered into glossy magazines but tell us little about them.
· The first thing which strikes one is the speed with which bodies are expected to respond or to change.· For that very reason, perhaps, distant things often struck his vision with intensity.· Palin never says this himself but talking to him and reading through previous interviews, one thing is striking.· Two things about the Alto struck Raskin as brilliant.· The thing that struck me most about the room was its symmetry.· The thing that really struck me about her is how serious she was, how those big eyes soaked everything in.· That was the first thing that struck me when I asked you to dance.· The first thing that struck them was the color.
· To be honest, the same thought had struck me.· But I felt their whispers and thoughts striking me in the chest.· Just as Howard is scraping the last spoonful of apple crumble out of the bowl, a thought strikes him.· A thought struck me, bringing fear with it.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► strike a happy/cheerful/cautious etc note► be struck with horror/terror/awe etc► strike somebody dead► strike something ↔ out► strike something ↔ outPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► snow-bound/strike-bound/tradition-bound etc► be struck all of a heap► lightning never strikes twice► hit/strike paydirt
- Eastin is trying to strike a balance between family life and her work.
- Accounts receivable management requires striking a balance between the cost of extending credit and the benefit received from extending credit.
- Effective organizations will strike a balance that allows them not only to accept uncertainty but to take advantage of it.
- He decided to strike a balance.
- How they strike a balance between the two is at the heart of corporate strategy.
- In the staffroom, they talk of trying to strike a balance between children seeing teachers as friends, and being over-familiar.
- No one can insure against all eventualities and so you strike a balance between the re- and pro- active aspects of your work.
- The courts have to try to strike a balance between the two.
- The problem of the Volunteer is to strike a balance.
- Ascend recently struck a deal to sell equipment to Pac Bell.
- Buyer and seller strike a bargain with each individual purchase.
- He struck a deal with the International Postal Union and received a copy of every stamp issued anywhere in the world.
- Historically, an exchange was a physical thing; a room or building where people met to gather information and strike bargains.
- Orlando, Florida, even struck a deal in which a developer built a new city hall.
- So we struck a bargain, or at least I thought we had.
- The company initially had struck a deal with Motorola.
- The plant strikes a bargain with its emissary.
- A specific element which has struck a chord with community educators is the encouragement to involve parents.
- Alison's story is extreme, but many of the things she says will strike a chord with other girls.
- Basically, it's something that strikes a chord in the heart.
- For a nostalgia that still strikes a chord today, here he is.
- I believe that most of the incidents that I have described will strike a chord with the vast majority of black people.
- Obviously, their messages have struck a chord among voters in Arizona and New Hampshire.
- The plight of Gerald McClellan struck a chord in Jones.
- Eulah Mae saw her sharply strike a match against a square match box to light a cigarette over a fresh beer.
- Four Negro GIs went apeshit striking matches on sleek bottoms.
- He took one of the smaller candles and, striking a match, held it to the wick.
- It's like striking a match, Meg.
- She struck a match and blew it out.
- She had so obviously struck a match with some one else.
- She was so cold that she struck a match for warmth.
- Some one struck a match at the open door of the landing bedroom.
- If they do strike oil, there will be another test well in about a year's time.
- It was like striking gold or falling rapturously in love: he possessed secret knowledge that his Germantown friends could scarcely imagine.
- Oxford City Women's cross country team has struck gold.
- That's where I struck gold.
- They struck gold in Kalgorlie in 1893. 100 years on and they're celebrating another major rush.
- Twigg, the reigning world champ in pursuit, should strike gold again.
- Within a week of returning he had struck gold.
- You really have struck gold there.
- It was like striking gold or falling rapturously in love: he possessed secret knowledge that his Germantown friends could scarcely imagine.
- Oxford City Women's cross country team has struck gold.
- That's where I struck gold.
- They struck gold in Kalgorlie in 1893. 100 years on and they're celebrating another major rush.
- Twigg, the reigning world champ in pursuit, should strike gold again.
- Within a week of returning he had struck gold.
- You really have struck gold there.
- Little Bill in drag strikes a blow for the downtrodden girls.
- Some one ought to strike a blow for women and show this vain man that he was utterly resistible!
- They were certainly striking a blow for short people.
- At least then she would know that the oyster skiffs were within striking distance of the shore.
- Besides, we might be within striking distance of the well, a place to camp if necessary.
- He hadn't, but, looking at the map, Branson could see they were within striking distance.
- We are within striking distance of our goal.
- They're hoping to strike it rich in Las Vegas.
- A camp that strikes it rich in the middle of a depression speaks as urgently to the well-trained as to the untrained.
- And they could strike it rich!
- Efficient-market believers could strike it rich if they could persuade people to give up.
- For a time he really thought he was going to strike it rich.
- Like 49ers infected with gold fever, big communications companies are rushing to the Internet with dreams of striking it rich.
- Small companies strike it rich by going public on the stock exchange.
- Wang told his people that hundreds of them would strike it rich if they followed his marketing techniques.
- But whereas Errol struck it lucky, spare a thought for Instonian Neil Cooke.
- And then those two words struck home.
- It must have struck home in some way.
- Some of the things Edgar had said had struck home.
- That was a shot in the dark, but judging from the expression on his face it struck home.
- The flinty look in Pargeter's face told Dexter that Blanche had struck home in some way.
- The simple idea that resources ought to be concentrated in areas where unemployment is highest has struck home.
- Young soccer star Stephen Kilgour strikes home a penalty shot during the interval at Darlington's home match on Saturday.
- Believe me, all those cannon, mortars and volley guns should strike fear into the heart of the enemy.
- Every crisis would strike terror into the hearts of people everywhere.
- Nothing here to strike fear into the hearts of the people.
- The Slav opposition collapsed almost immediately, as if the very name of Charles had struck terror into their hearts.
- The very physical description of the Huns proved sufficient in and of itself to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies.
- Sometimes, striking an attitude against an Italianate blue sky, Wandsworth looked magnificent.
- Amy was struck dumb. Was it possible that her own son had deceived her?
- When he arrived at the scene of the disaster, he was struck dumb with horror and amazement.
- At times 25,000-plus onlookers were struck dumb by tension and anticipation, a hiccup resounding like a roar.
- I was told it was Duart was struck dumb.
- No wonder the computer wizards were struck dumb by the place; the narcissistic attraction must have been overwhelming.
- Once again I was struck dumb by the mystery of the world.
- One edged remark, and she would be struck dumb.
- Don't wait until tomorrow before you tell him, strike while the iron is hot!
- So, it should strike while the iron is hot and go to the country as soon as possible.
- His arguments struck us as completely ridiculous.
- Mr. West struck me as a very good businessman.
- Alan and I used to fight - but that was just little boys striking out.
- It all struck Tish as an exciting ride.
- It did strike me as somewhat odd that Ellen would wait so long in life to discover her true orientation.
- Jocasta struck him as a typical Hollywood brat, neglected, indulged, selfish and forced to grow up too fast.
- She struck me as being a horror in the play.
- Surely these folks were great pals but that strikes me as a strange way to show it.
- They hoped that the very talk of a general strike would act as a restraining influence on militarism.
- Thus the strike came as no surprise to those involved.
- Ancient law, it seems, was on their side; thousands were struck off, and more feared to be.
- Do you want me to be struck off?
- He was struck off in 1998, but still receives a National Health Service pension.
- He was struck off the medical register for his pains.
- In serious breaches of these codes, the professional can be struck off the professional register. 5.
- Then her head was struck off and fixed on gallows and her body thrown into the pit.
- It feels great to strike out on your own and find a job and a place to live.
- After problems in obtaining components, Comart struck out on its own, producing its Comart Communicator, a small business computer.
- And I was beginning to feel I wanted to strike out on my own.
- But she was right: it is time for him to strike out on his own.
- Glover was afraid Paul was going to strike out on his own with that suitcase, with that hat on his head.
- I found that I could quickly discard the handbook in favour of striking out on my own and was quite satisfied with the results.
- Or should I throw off all restraints and strike out on my own?
- So why not strike out on your own?
- The time was finally ripe, they decided, to strike out on their own.
- At that time Worsley, who is married to Moody, had also struck up a friendship with Nance.
- Besides, Anna had struck up a conversation with a young girl who'd been swimming in the pool.
- Demonstrators will attempt to surround the police, strike up conversations and present them with letters.
- Eleanor wrote back wittily and they struck up a friendship.
- He struck up a conversation, first asking his name.
- He and Matthew struck up a friendship - they had something in common; their attitude to life.
- Others prefer to strike up a conversation with table mates.
- Peggy and James strike up a friendship.
- Alone and friendless, she had struck up a casual friendship with Dermot as he showed her Dublin.
- Demonstrators will attempt to surround the police, strike up conversations and present them with letters.
- I recalled he had struck up an intimate conversation with her in the lobby after breakfast.
- Others prefer to strike up a conversation with table mates.
- Particularly with the Liberals, who struck up a sort of Bucharest-Ettrick Bridge accord.
- Peggy and James strike up a friendship.
- Shy but cordial friendships were struck up, which Mrs Thomlinson was powerless to prevent or subvert.
- The orchestra struck up a polonaise, the lights strung on trees glistened in the garden, the tables groaned with food.
- The company has threatened to hire 700 new workers in order to break the 10-month-old strike.
- Clearly, what they do touches a chord in more than a few listeners.
- Her language may be a bit highbrow, but it strikes a chord with many of Britain's state school heads.
- His declarations have struck a chord on both sides of the House.
- Obviously, their messages have struck a chord among voters in Arizona and New Hampshire.
- One young man of John's age wrote to say that the pointlessness of his captivity had struck a chord with him.
- Somewhere, he touched a chord in his son.
- The film was immensely popular and had so clearly struck a chord that Hammer carried out a rethink of its production policy.
- The plight of Gerald McClellan struck a chord in Jones.
- Don't become despondent just because it seems that your employer is keen to drive a hard bargain.
- It could also be that Reilly, who has never knowingly sold himself short, is driving a hard bargain.
- So he was right to drive a hard bargain.
- The farmer had grown used to billeting troops and drove a hard bargain.
- The reality of the war didn't hit home until someone from the neighborhood was killed.
- All of a sudden the hollowness of our triumph over nature hit home with striking effect.
- And to go back to your start-up page hit Home.
- By the early 1970s, this realization had already hit home.
- His comment hit home for me, as both therapist and layperson.
- It must have struck home in some way.
- She could see that her remark had hit home.
- They spend much of the book showing how various companies have used them to hit home runs or strike out.
- Within hours, the reality of the situation had hit home.
- He reworked everything he wrote until he had hit the right note of Gailic pedantry.
- So are buskers in Gloucester striking the right note with their audience?
- That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?
- Nearly 1,000 fans staged a sit-down protest calling for Branfoot's head, despite the victory sealed by Richard Hall's header.
WORD FAMILYnounstrikestrikeradjectivestrikingverbstrikeadverbstrikingly
1hit [transitive] written to hit or fall against the surface of something: She fell heavily, striking her head against the side of the boat. A snowball struck him on the back of the head. Several cars were struck by falling trees. The last rays of the setting sun struck the windows.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say hit rather than strike:· I hit my head on the shelf.· He was hit by a rock.2hit with hand/weapon etc [transitive] formal to deliberately hit someone or something with your hand or a weapon: She struck him hard across the face.strike something with something The victim had been struck with some kind of wooden implement. Paul struck him a blow to the head. The assassin’s bullet struck home (=hit exactly where it should).► see thesaurus at hit3thought/idea [transitive] if something strikes you, you think of it, notice it, or realize that it is important, interesting, true etc: A rather worrying thought struck me. The first thing that struck me was the fact that there were no other women present.it strikes somebody (that) It struck her that losing the company might be the least of her worries.be struck by something You can’t help being struck by her kindness.GRAMMAR: Using the progressiveStrike is not used in the progressive in this meaning. You say: · It strikes me that they are similar. ✗Don’t say: It is striking me that they are similar.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS4strike somebody as (being) something to seem to have a particular quality or feature: His jokes didn’t strike Jack as being very funny.it strikes somebody as strange/odd etc that It struck me as odd that the man didn’t introduce himself before he spoke.5stop work [intransitive] if a group of workers strike, they stop working as a protest against something relating to their work, for example how much they are paid, bad working conditions etc: In many countries, the police are forbidden to strike.strike for They’re striking for the right to have their trade union recognized in law.6attack [intransitive, transitive] to attack someone, especially suddenly: The killer might strike again. Guerrillas struck a UN camp, killing 75. Opponents of the war say that civilian villages have been struck several times.7harm [intransitive, transitive] to damage or harm someone or somethingstrike at The law would strike at the most basic of civil rights. Such prejudices strike right at the heart of any notions of a civilized society.strike a blow at/against/to something The scandal seemed to have struck a mortal blow to the government’s chances of re-election.8something bad happens [intransitive, transitive] if something bad strikes, it suddenly happens or suddenly begins to affect someone: The plague struck again for the third time that century. Everything seemed to be going fine when suddenly disaster struck. → stricken► see thesaurus at happen9strike a balance (between something) to give the correct amount of importance or attention to two separate things:
He was finding it difficult to strike a balance between his family and his work. It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance.10strike a bargain/deal to agree to do something for someone if they do something for you: There are rumors that the president struck a private deal with the corporation’s chairman.11strike a happy/cheerful/cautious etc note to express a particular feeling or attitude: The article struck a conciliatory note. Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted).12strike a chord to say or do something that other people agree with or have sympathy withstrike with Their story is bound to strike a chord with all parents.13strike a match to produce a flame from a match by rubbing it hard across a rough surface14strike gold/oil etc to find a supply of gold, oil etc in the ground or under the sea: If they strike oil, drilling will begin early next year.15strike gold informal to do something that makes you a lot of money: Jackie eventually struck gold with her third novel.16lightning [intransitive, transitive] if lightning strikes something, it hits and damages it: The temple burned down after it was struck by lightning last year. → lightning never strikes twice at lightning117strike a blow for somebody/something to do something to help achieve a principle or aim: It’s time we struck a blow for women’s rights.18be within striking distance a)to be close enough to reach a place easily: By now, they were within striking distance of the shore. b)to be very close to achieving something: The French team are within striking distance of the world record.19strike it rich to suddenly make a lot of money20strike it lucky British English to be very lucky, especially when you were not expecting to: We struck it lucky in Bangkok, where we were told there were some extra seats on the plane that night.21clock [intransitive, transitive] if a clock strikes one, two, six etc, its bell makes a sound once, twice, six etc times according to what time it is: The church clock began to strike twelve.strike the hour (=strike when it is exactly one o'clock, two o'clock etc)22gain advantage [intransitive] to do something that gives you an advantage over your opponent in a fight, competition etc: Brazil struck first with a goal in the third minute.23strike home if something that you say strikes home, it has exactly the effect on someone that you intended: She saw the emotion in her father’s face and knew her words had struck home.24strike terror/fear into somebody’s heart to make someone feel very frightened: The word ‘cancer’ still strikes terror into many hearts.25strike a pose/attitude to stand or sit with your body in a particular position: Malcolm struck his usual pose: hands in pockets, shoulders hunched.26be struck dumb to suddenly be unable to talk, usually because you are very surprised or shocked → dumbstruck27be struck with horror/terror/awe etc to suddenly feel very afraid, shocked etc: As she began to speak to him, she was struck with shyness.28strike while the iron is hot to do something immediately rather than waiting until a later time when you are less likely to succeed29strike somebody dead to kill someone: May God strike me dead if I’m telling a lie!strike back phrasal verb to attack or criticize someone who attacked or criticized you first: We instruct our staff never to strike back, however angry they feel.strike back at The prime minister immediately struck back at his critics.strike somebody ↔ down phrasal verb1to kill someone or make them extremely ill: Over 50 nurses at the clinic have been struck down with a mystery virus. They would rob the bodies of those struck down in battle.GRAMMAR Strike down is usually passive in this meaning.2 formal to hit someone so hard that they fall down3law to say that a law, decision etc is illegal and officially end itstrike somebody/something ↔ off phrasal verb1be struck off British English if a doctor, lawyer etc is struck off, their name is removed from the official list of people who are allowed to work as doctors, lawyers etc2to remove someone or something from a list: Terri was told to strike off the names of every person older than 30.strike on/upon something phrasal verb formal to discover something or have a good idea about something → be struck on somebody/something at struck2strike out phrasal verb1to attack or criticize someone suddenly or violentlystrike out at Unhappy young people will often strike out at the people closest to them.2strike something ↔ out to draw a line through something written on a piece of paper3[always + adverb/preposition] to start walking or swimming in a particular direction, especially in a determined way: She struck out for the side of the pool.4strike out on your own to start doing something or living independently5to not hit the ball in baseball three times, so that you are not allowed to continue trying, or to make someone do thisstrike somebody ↔ out He struck out the first batter he faced. → strikeout6American English informal to not be successful at something: ‘Did she say she’d go out with you?’ ‘No, I struck out.’7strike something ↔ out law to say officially that something cannot be considered as proof in a court of lawstrike up phrasal verb1strike up a friendship/relationship/conversation etc to start to become friendly with someone, to start talking to them, etc: I struck up a conversation with the girl sitting next to me.2strike up (something) to begin playing a piece of music: The band struck up a tango.strike1 verbstrike2 noun
strikestrike2 ●●● S3 W2 noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Following a general strike and calls for his resignation, the President was arrested on 26 March.
- nuclear strike capability
- Shipbuilders and dockers were solidly in favour of strike action in support of their claim.
- Since the miners' strike, thirty of the mines in the area have been closed.
- The administration has officially asked transportation workers to call off their strike.
- The bomb strike took place on a camp near Krek.
- The offices were closed by a strike that lasted two months.
- The rebels launched a retaliatory strike.
- The roads were a nightmare as commuters were hit by a rail strike.
- When union bosses called a strike in protest over low pay, the response was overwhelming.
- A memorable strike from Paul Scholes and a deserved goal for the influential David Beckham completed a routine day for the champions.
- At first, they hated the strike.
- Barnett ruled a two-strike pitch from Shawn Boskie was a called third strike.
- In the long run, the outcome of the Delphi Chassis strike could be less important than the walkout itself.
- The settlement came after a week of escalating pressures on both sides to end the strike.
- Typical damage caused by a boom strike.
THESAURUS
[countable] a period of time when a group of workers stop working because of a disagreement about pay, working conditions etc: · A teachers’ strike has been announced for next week.· The rail strike has resulted in major delays on roads across the country.
[uncountable] British English activities such as strikes, or doing less work than usual, as a way of trying to persuade an employer to improve pay, conditions etc: · Lecturers voted to take industrial action over their workload.· Prison officers have threatened industrial action.
[countable] British English, work stoppage American English a short strike, especially one that lasts for one day: · Customs officers will return to work today after a twenty-four hour stoppage.
[countable] British English a period of time when a group of workers deliberately work more slowly than usual as a way of protesting about pay, conditions etc: · The hospital go-slow comes into effect tomorrow.· The union carried out strikes and go-slows in support of a wage claim.
Longman Language Activatorto stop working in order to get higher wages etc if workers go on strike , they stop working in order to demand better pay or working conditions, or to protest about something: · In 1926, all Britain's miners, railway workers, and transport workers went on strike.go on strike for: · The engineers have gone on strike for better pay and shorter working hours.go on indefinite strike (=go on strike until something is done to change a situation): · From tomorrow, we're going on indefinite strike unless something's done to reduce the number of accidents in the factory.
if workers strike , they stop working in order to demand higher wages etc - used especially in news reports: · Female workers are often more reluctant than men to strike in order to get what they want.strike for: · Teachers were not striking for higher pay, but for higher standards in education.
British if a group of workers come out on strike , they deliberately stop working as a protest, especially after discussions with their employers have failed to produce any agreement: · Union leaders are calling on their members to come out on strike from next Monday.come out on strike in support of somebody/something: · The government just didn't expect teachers to come out on strike in support of the miners.
if workers walk out , they stop working and leave the place where they are working, especially when this has not been planned but happens as a protest about something that has just happened: · This afternoon, three hundred car workers walked out as a protest over cuts in overtime.· Ambulance drivers have threatened to walk out if their pay claim is rejected.
British if workers in a factory down tools , they stop working as a protest about something that has just happened: · After their workmate was sacked, the other machinists all downed tools until she was reinstated.
if workers are on strike , they have stopped working in order to demand higher wages etc: · Some two-thirds of the country's diamond miners are now on strike.be out on strike: · There were frequent power cuts when the electricity workers were out on strike.
when workers are on strike · The offices were closed by a strike that lasted two months.miners'/teachers'/railworkers' etc strike · Since the miners' strike, thirty of the mines in the area have been closed.coal/rail/dock etc strike · The roads were a nightmare as commuters were hit by a rail strike.call a strike (=ask workers to strike) · When union bosses called a strike in protest over low pay, the response was overwhelming.call off a strike (=stop striking) · The administration has officially asked transportation workers to call off their strike.general strike (=when most workers in a country strike) · Following a general strike and calls for his resignation, the President was arrested on 26 March.strike action · Shipbuilders and dockers were solidly in favour of strike action in support of their claim.
when a group of workers try to persuade their employer to improve pay or conditions, either by going on strike or by doing less work than they usually do: · Exactly what form the industrial action will take is not yet known.· Most of the workers are against industrial action, but are asking for talks with employers.take industrial action: · A survey of 2,000 federation members had shown that 48% believed police should have the right to take industrial action.
when workers do only the amount of work they legally have to do and no more, as a protests against something: · Because of their work-to-rule, teachers were no longer taking after-school clubs or supervising lunch hours.
British also work stoppage American when a group of workers stop working for a short time until their complaint, protest, or demand is dealt with: · Customs officers will return to work today after a twenty-four hour stoppage.· Railworkers in central Poland also joined the stoppage, cutting the link with the industrial south-west.· The plan is likely to be met with work stoppages and other labor disruptions.
British when a group of workers deliberately work more slowly than usual as a way of protesting about low wages, bad working conditions etc: · The hospital seemed to be treating as many patients as possible before the go-slow came into effect.
a military attack when a military force attacks a place or country, using weapons, aircraft, soldiers etc: · The attack began at dawn.· The caller warned that the attacks will continue until the demands are met.attack on: · missile attacks on civilian targetsnaval/air/artillery/terrorist etc attack: · The city is exposed and vulnerable to air attack.· Eleven people were injured in a rocket attack on Sunday night.launch/mount an attack: · International terrorists have mounted an attack aimed at disrupting the huge tourist industry here.go on the attack (=start to attack someone or something): · To my horror, the soldiers went on the attack, killing men, women and children indiscriminately.
when an army from one country enters another country and tries to control it: · The fear of an invasion by rebels is always present.foreign/military etc invasion: · Some analysts fear that increasing desperation could lead to a military invasion of the country's southern neighbors.· the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia
a short quick attack by a group of soldiers, planes, or ships on a place that belongs to an enemy: military/bombing/aerial etc raid: · He led a commando raid in the desert.· a surprise raid · NATO bombing raidsair raid (=one carried out by planes dropping bombs): · Some of the most beautiful architecture in the city was destroyed in the air raids.· air-raid sirensraid on/against: · Sixty people are thought to have been killed in the raid on the village just west of the capital.· John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry· As a teenager, he was involved in a raid against a village of Omaha Indians.
a sudden attack by a group of soldiers who have been hiding and waiting for someone: be killed/shot etc in an ambush: · Six or seven of the passengers were killed in an ambush on the narrowest part of the road.lie/wait in ambush (=wait in order to ambush): · They moved slowly, knowing that in the next clump of trees enemy soldiers might be lying in ambush.
a military attack to take control of a place controlled by the enemy: aerial/military/naval etc assault: · a massive armed assault on the cityassault on/against: · Only a successful assault on the rebels' headquarters could have ended the civil war.
a sudden attack, especially one from the air, using bombs: · The rebels launched a retaliatory strike.air/nuclear/missile etc strike: · The bomb strike took place on a camp near Krek. · nuclear strike capability
a planned attack involving large forces and often taking place over several weeks or months, especially as part of a plan to win a war: military/nuclear/air etc offensive: · The great military offensive had failed, and it seemed victory was escaping them.· The rebel offensive resumed on Thursday, leaving 12 dead and many injured.launch/mount an offensive: · Government troops launched an offensive against UNITA positions in the north. offensive on/against: · The President announced a counter-offensive on the rebels.
the act of attacking a country, especially when that country has not attacked first - used especially in political contexts: · The invasion was condemned as 'blatant aggression' by the British Prime Minister.· The President promised to use all his powers to prevent further aggression.armed/foreign/military etc agression: · another example of communist aggressionaggression against: · As our older generation knows from experience, unchecked aggression against a small nation is a prelude to international disaster.an act of aggression: · Any eastward expansion would be regarded by the government as an act of aggression.
to stop eating or refuse to eat to stop eating food for a fixed period of time, especially for religious reasons: · Muslims fast during Ramadan.
if someone goes on a hunger strike , they refuse to eat for days or weeks in order to protest about something or bring public attention to a political problem: · More than 300 prisoners went on hunger strike in February in protest against the living conditions.be on (a) hunger strike: · 67 men had been on hunger strike since August 13th.
British especially spoken if someone is off their food , they do not want to eat, for example because they feel sick or ill: · What's wrong with Billy? He seems to be off his food.
WORD SETSanthracite, nounblack gold, nounblowout, nounboost, nounbunker, nounbutane, nounCalor gas, nounclinker, nouncoal, nouncoal bunker, nouncoalfield, nouncoal gas, nouncoal hole, nouncoalhouse, nounCoalite, coalman, nouncoal mine, nouncoke, nouncolliery, nouncrude, noundrill, verbdrilling platform, nounflue, nounfossil fuel, noungallery, noungas, noungasholder, noungaslight, noungasman, noungas meter, noungasometer, noungasworks, noungusher, nouninternal combustion engine, nounlead-free, adjectivelignite, nounmethane, nounnatural gas, nounoctane, nounoil, nounoil-bearing, adjectiveoilfield, nounoil-fired, adjectiveoilman, nounoil rig, nounoil slick, nounoil tanker, nounoil well, nounOPEC, nounopencast, adjectiveparaffin, nounpilot light, nounpit pony, nounpremium, nounpropane, nounrig, nounroughneck, nounsolid fuel, nounstrike, nounwell, nounwick, nounwildcat, verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs There’s not much left of his house after it was struck by a bolt of lightning. We decided to come out on strike. The loss of Georgia would sound the death knell of Republican hopes. The modern decor strikes a discordant note in this old building. She was struck dumb with terror. I always tried to strike a happy medium between having a home that looked like a bomb had hit it and becoming obsessively tidy. A total of 300 students occupied the building and over 50 went on hunger strike. The ship struck a mine and sank. Ann struck a pose (=stood or sat in a particular position) and smiled for the camera. a series of pre-emptive strikes on guerrilla bases Activists staged a protest outside the parliament.
· Teachers are on strike again this week.
(=start a strike)· An estimated 70,000 public sector workers went on strike.
· Dock workers began a 24-hour strike last night.
(=tell people to strike)· The union threatened to call a strike.
(=organize a short strike)· Health workers will stage a two-day strike next week.
(=decide not to continue with it)· The strike was called off two days later.
(=force workers to end it)· Attempts to break the strike failed.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + strike· A three-day strike is planned for next week.
(=with no end planned)· Workers at the processing plant have begun an indefinite strike.
· Most teachers wouldn’t be in favour of a long strike.
(=when workers from most industries strike)· They threatened to call a general strike.
(=all over the country)· In April 1984 the National Union of Mineworkers called a national strike.
British English (=when all the workers in a factory, industry etc strike)· The dockers voted for an all-out strike.
(=affecting the rail/coal etc industry)· A rail strike would cause enormous public inconvenience.
(=by miners, teachers etc)· The transport workers’ strike inflicted serious damage on the economy.
(=not organized by a trade union)· Some workers had been sacked for taking part in unofficial strikes.
(=without any warning)· Legislation to curb wildcat strikes will be introduced during the coming parliamentary session.
(=in which all the workers have stopped working completely)· The company faces an all-out strike next month.
(=with angry feelings between workers and managers)· The miners finally returned to work at the end of a long, bitter strike.
(=having a bad effect on an industry)· The company now faces the prospect of a crippling strike.
strike + NOUN (=a strike)· Hospital workers have voted in favour of strike action.
(=when a group asks people to strike)· The ANC estimated that more than 4,000,000 people heeded its strike call.
British English (=when workers vote on whether to strike)· The union is going to hold a strike ballot.
COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘go on a strike’. Say go on strike.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=that workers take in order to protest about pay, working conditions etc)· The miners voted in favour of industrial action.
(=unusual and interesting)· The unusual leaves give the plant a distinctive appearance.
· This is one of the most striking aspects of life in Tokyo.
(=succeed in getting the right balance)· It is necessary to strike a balance between the needs of employers and employees.· Find the right balance between enough exercise and enough rest.
(=starts playing)· We were on the dance floor waiting for the band to strike up.
There’s not much left of his house after it was struck by a bolt of lightning.· The first bullet hit him in the back.
· Its canals are one of Amsterdam’s most striking characteristics.
(=makes eight/nine etc sounds according to the hour)· In the distance I heard a church clock strike eleven.
We decided to come out on strike. formal (=make a compromise)· They met again Wednesday night to try to forge a compromise.
(=very noticeable)· I noticed a marked contrast in his behaviour before and after treatment.
(=agree a deal after a lot of discussions)· The US and North Korea reached a deal about North Korea's nuclear development program.
The loss of Georgia would sound the death knell of Republican hopes. (=happens suddenly)· Congress often gives millions of dollars in foreign aid when natural disasters strike.
The modern decor strikes a discordant note in this old building. (=not far from something, especially something you are going to attack)· Their troops had advanced to within striking distance of the town.
She was struck dumb with terror. (=happens in a particular place)· The region was struck by a major earthquake last year.
(=an unusual or interesting feature)· Her long blonde hair is her most striking feature.
· He and Matthew struck up a friendship.
I always tried to strike a happy medium between having a home that looked like a bomb had hit it and becoming obsessively tidy. A total of 300 students occupied the building and over 50 went on hunger strike. (=an occasion when lightning hits something)· A lightning strike sent a surge through the electricity supply system.
· The house had been hit by lightning.
informal (=be lucky)· I applied for twenty jobs before I struck lucky.
The ship struck a mine and sank. (=to find oil when you are digging for it)· The engineers drilled down a few hundred metres until they hit oil.· The Ohio Oil Company struck oil on May 3rd.
(=used about something so new and different that it makes you notice it)· Any visitor will admire the striking originality of the building's architecture.
Ann struck a pose (=stood or sat in a particular position) and smiled for the camera. a series of pre-emptive strikes on guerrilla bases (=very strong and noticeable)· There's a striking resemblance between the two boys.
(=one that is very noticeable)· This ape's facial expressions show remarkable similarities to ours.
Activists staged a protest outside the parliament.· We should try to get home before the storm hits.
· His fearsome appearance strikes terror into the hearts of his enemies.
(=someone suddenly has a thought)· The thought occurred to him that she might be lying.
(=happens suddenly)· Just when it looked as though everything would turn out right, tragedy struck and Jenny developed a fatal illness.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The Front subsequently suspended a general strike order issued on June 6.· The unions threatened a further general strike on Aug. 22-23 if basic food subsidies and wages were not increased.· Timisoara and Arad were reported to be on a general strike.· A further 24-hour general strike on May 22 severely disrupted transport and services.· With output recovering, the prime minister, Hanna Suchocka decided to stand up to Solidarity's threat to call a general strike.· A general strike, however, organized on June 19 by the National Confederation Union, attracted little support.· The main focus of attention was, however, preparations for a general strike to be held on Aug. 3-4.· Early in November it called a second general strike.
· Trade unions are spreading: teachers staged a long strike last year.· Here you go, fans, the longest strike in the history of the game.· Third, since supplementary benefit can be paid indefinitely, long strikes are prolonged into longer strikes.· We spared no expense in preparing ourselves for a long strike and the decertification of the unions.· It was a long, bitter strike, 119 days, and at the end of it the men had gotten nothing.· In another study, Gennard and Lasko interviewed fifty workers from each of two long and large strikes in 1971 and 1973.· Just over the mountain in Kentucky is Harlan County, where in 1973 the miners fought a long and bitter strike.
· Time allowed 00:19 Read in studio Office staff at Gloucester Prison have joined a one-day national strike against the privatisation of jails.· Soon it would be a national strike, burning wild and out of control.· Their first real test by the unions was the 12-week national steel strike, commencing January 1980.· Public and congressional rejection of the market-oriented model was at the heart of a 48-hour national strike.· Last year's results were lower because of the national postal strike and because of the pay increases, the Post Office said.· Earlier in the dispute, calls for all-out national strike action had been rejected on Jan. 23 by national union leaders.· In February 1974, there was a second national miners' strike.· Union leader Arthur Scargill's dream of political victory crumbled with the collapse of the national miners' strike.
· Industrial action On June 6, 1990, there was a 24-hour nationwide strike to protest against the latest austerity measures.· Since nearly all passenger trains included Pullmans, a nationwide strike resulted.· May 24 saw further nationwide strikes and demonstrations in 12 cities.
· But unions would be effectively debarred from holding a strike ballot in support of workers already sacked for taking part in unofficial strikes.· All 96 staff are out on unofficial strike.· The unofficial strike of oil-rig workers in 1990 had as one of its major aims an improvement in safety.· There's an unofficial strike to try and stop them closing the line.
NOUN· The country was on a 3-day working week and the mineworkers were solidly in favour of strike action in support of their pay claim.· Interfax reported on May 13 that the health unions would postpone strike action until Aug. 1.· Workers backed up their claims with strike action.· At the end of October, egged on by rank-and-file demands for an eight-hour day, the Soviet endorsed renewed strike action.· A notable example among many of government intervention to avoid strike action occurred in the 1954 pay negotiations.· Moreover, strike action could be counterproductive.· Earlier in the dispute, calls for all-out national strike action had been rejected on Jan. 23 by national union leaders.· The cost is more than made up for by the fact that virtually no man-hours are lost through strike action.
· Only after barely-veiled threats of a resumption of air strikes did Baghdad agree to co-operate.· When we decided we had them pinned down, they called in an air strike.· If air strikes are launched, what will become of them?· At this point a majority on the Ex Comm agreed on the necessity of an air strike the next morning.· There were many choices available, including continued air strikes, further ground attacks and increased special warfare actions.· The streets of Baghdad functioned as normal Saturday, but people expressed fear of more air strikes.· They called in air strikes all around us.
· A strike call by the Sacred Union on Feb. 3 was taken up by workers across the country.· The ejection came after Joyner questioned a strike call.· Twenty factories obeying Yeltsin's strike call were asked to return to work by Sobchak.· The strike call, however, was reportedly not widely observed.· The strike call was endorsed and Local Councils of Action were set up throughout the country, to await events.· According to local reports an opposition strike call was widely observed on Oct. 26.
· Three students were killed in clashes with the police on Nov. 22, and several members of the strike committee were arrested.· Following worker demonstrations in 1970 he was elected chairman of the workshop strike committee and spent several days in detention.· On April 10 the strike committee brought up to 100,000 people on to the streets of Minsk.· I am resigning from the strike committee.
· Both Tom and Terry decided to go on hunger strike.· During a hunger strike she asked to go to Confession.· Miners and workers held hunger strikes and marches, and blocked roads in the following weeks.· Brady collapsed on Boxing Day, three months into a hunger strike in protest at his transfer to a tougher ward.· Her old tutor is horrified, but her husband says he supports the hunger strike -- even if it claims her life.· Former political prisoners had gone on hunger strike on Sept. 20 in Tirana, demanding recognition of their innocence and economic compensation.· One judge began a hunger strike in protest.
· Energy was released into the building by a lightning strike.· The tactic was the old reliable one: the lightning strike.· Owing to the random nature of lightning strikes, it is unlikely that lying down offers any protection.· As with most valuable electronic equipment, surge protection is recommended against possible lightning strikes and power surges.· Holly's hand moved, the lightning strike of the cobra.· I believe that there was a lightning strike on the car.· Gilbert waited for the lightning strike that would finally find them, and began to babble a hopeless prayer.· The probability of my inviting a lightning strike in any particular minute is also very low.
· But the rent strikes brought her out to the world with her small fists clenched in a white-knuckle fury.· She organised a rent strike and got her whole street rehoused.· There could be a rent strike, a rates strike, or both.
· Glossary of popular terms Ball: called by the umpire when a pitch misses the strike zone.· After all, Greg Maddux enjoyed the same strike zone and struck out nine in seven innings.· The strike zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.· Gregg was called into the postgame interview room and asked about his strike zone.· I never thought there was a question how low a strike zone is.· Better be ready to expand that strike zone, Robbie.· He expects to profit from the high strike mostly when he throws his overhand curve which breaks late into the strike zone.· How about starting with the strike zone, fellas?
VERB· In any event, I doubt if you could break the strike without considerable violence.· He expects to profit from the high strike mostly when he throws his overhand curve which breaks late into the strike zone.· All round there was a lack of shared will to break the strike and maintain Faulkner's executive.· In most cases, members of the state militias sympathized with the strikers and thus failed to break the strike.· All the same it is far from true that they were used to break the strike.· When talks with government and presidential staff broke down, the strike was declared illegal.· Brutal repression broke the strike, and mobilization for the war initially subdued the labour movement.
· Producers of commercials resisted, but granted some concessions to end the strike.· The settlement came after a week of escalating pressures on both sides to end the strike.· Madani and Belhadj, citing this concession, asked their followers at evening prayers in Algiers to end the strike.· They ended their strike on Dec. 13.· The teachers had suddenly ended their strike, and the four youngest children had gone back to school.· Meanwhile, talks aimed at ending the strike remain at a standstill.· On Dec. 31 the government and Solidarity reached agreement on ending the strike.· Baggage handlers at Manchester Airport voted last night to end their three-week strike after management and unions agreed on a peace settlement.
· Last year miners went on strike, demanding to be dismissed.· We get together, start whining, and then we go on strike.· Both Tom and Terry decided to go on hunger strike.· Are teachers allowed to go on strike?· Her knees seemed to have gone on strike.· First they had gone on strike.· Three branches went out on strike in South Tyneside, Walsall, and Hackney.· Finally, the courts have ruled that school boards can impose economic sanctions on teachers who go on strike.
· From Bourges Capetian forces could launch a quick strike against Tours and Poitiers.
· He had also been a trade union official, once leading a strike of railway workers in 1989.· Thirty years ago, she would have been leading a strike.· Low morale among poorly paid health workers has led to strikes and lessened the quality of care.· Northwest Airlines' mechanics are in the final stage of negotiations that could lead to a strike there next month.· But these guys probably thought they would lead strikes or something.· She held regular converse with her husband, who had died twenty-three years previously when leading a dockworkers' strike.· They also started the 30-day countdown that could lead to a strike March 26 unless a contract is approved sooner.
· He reportedly staged a hunger strike on May 24 in support of the demand for a Constitutional Assembly.· Unemployed workers staged strikes, and hungry peasants in many areas seized estates and took over village councils.· Trade unions are spreading: teachers staged a long strike last year.· Not till ten years later, however, did the London dockers stage their great historic strike.· They've already staged four one day strikes and this lunchtime they took their campaign to Downing Street.· To prevent them being expressed, you stage a pre-emptive strike.· For instance, when the political prisoners staged their hunger strike during the Pope's visit, we broadcast their demands.
· Judges are receiving firearms training from police but have threatened to go on strike as promised protection has not materialised.· Students and unions threatened a general strike.· The unions threatened a further general strike on Aug. 22-23 if basic food subsidies and wages were not increased.· The trade union representing the workforce at these plants had threatened to go on strike if their jobs are put at risk.· They have threatened strikes, boycotts and demonstrations if the sale and break-up go ahead.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► snow-bound/strike-bound/tradition-bound etc► be struck all of a heap► lightning never strikes twice► hit/strike paydirt
- For the younger pilots, I had two strikes against me before I even began that were impossible to overcome.
- Generally, unless batters have two strikes against them, Bosley doesn't want them to swing at high strikes.
- The company has threatened to hire 700 new workers in order to break the 10-month-old strike.
- Clearly, what they do touches a chord in more than a few listeners.
- Her language may be a bit highbrow, but it strikes a chord with many of Britain's state school heads.
- His declarations have struck a chord on both sides of the House.
- Obviously, their messages have struck a chord among voters in Arizona and New Hampshire.
- One young man of John's age wrote to say that the pointlessness of his captivity had struck a chord with him.
- Somewhere, he touched a chord in his son.
- The film was immensely popular and had so clearly struck a chord that Hammer carried out a rethink of its production policy.
- The plight of Gerald McClellan struck a chord in Jones.
- Don't become despondent just because it seems that your employer is keen to drive a hard bargain.
- It could also be that Reilly, who has never knowingly sold himself short, is driving a hard bargain.
- So he was right to drive a hard bargain.
- The farmer had grown used to billeting troops and drove a hard bargain.
- The reality of the war didn't hit home until someone from the neighborhood was killed.
- All of a sudden the hollowness of our triumph over nature hit home with striking effect.
- And to go back to your start-up page hit Home.
- By the early 1970s, this realization had already hit home.
- His comment hit home for me, as both therapist and layperson.
- It must have struck home in some way.
- She could see that her remark had hit home.
- They spend much of the book showing how various companies have used them to hit home runs or strike out.
- Within hours, the reality of the situation had hit home.
- He reworked everything he wrote until he had hit the right note of Gailic pedantry.
- So are buskers in Gloucester striking the right note with their audience?
- That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?
- Nearly 1,000 fans staged a sit-down protest calling for Branfoot's head, despite the victory sealed by Richard Hall's header.
WORD FAMILYnounstrikestrikeradjectivestrikingverbstrikeadverbstrikingly
1not working [countable, uncountable] a period of time when a group of workers deliberately stop working because of a disagreement about pay, working conditions etc: The government has promised that the army will be called in to help if there is a firemen’s strike.strike by a six-week strike by railway workersstrike over a strike over pay cutsstrike against a national strike against mine closures2attack [countable] a military attack, especially by planes dropping bombsstrike against/on a surprise air strike on military targets American aircraft carriers have launched several strikes. → first strike3discovery [countable usually singular] the discovery of something valuable under the ground: an oil strike4two/three strikes against somebody/something American English a condition or situation that makes it extremely difficult for someone or something to be successful: Children from poor backgrounds have two strikes against them by the time they begin school.5baseball [countable] an attempt to hit the ball in baseball that fails, or a ball that is thrown to the batter in the correct area but is not hit6bowling [countable] a situation in bowling in which you knock down all the pins (=bottle-shaped objects) with a ball on your first attempt → hunger strike, lightning strikeCOLLOCATIONSverbsbe (out) on strike· Teachers are on strike again this week.go on strike/come out on strike (=start a strike)· An estimated 70,000 public sector workers went on strike.begin a strike· Dock workers began a 24-hour strike last night.call a strike (=tell people to strike)· The union threatened to call a strike.stage a strike (=organize a short strike)· Health workers will stage a two-day strike next week.end/call off a strike (=decide not to continue with it)· The strike was called off two days later.break a strike (=force workers to end it)· Attempts to break the strike failed.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + strikea one-day/two-week etc strike· A three-day strike is planned for next week.an indefinite strike (=with no end planned)· Workers at the processing plant have begun an indefinite strike.a long strike· Most teachers wouldn’t be in favour of a long strike.a general strike (=when workers from most industries strike)· They threatened to call a general strike.a national/nationwide strike (=all over the country)· In April 1984 the National Union of Mineworkers called a national strike.an all-out strike British English (=when all the workers in a factory, industry etc strike)· The dockers voted for an all-out strike.a rail/coal/postal etc strike (=affecting the rail/coal etc industry)· A rail strike would cause enormous public inconvenience.a miners’/teachers’/pilots’ etc strike (=by miners, teachers etc)· The transport workers’ strike inflicted serious damage on the economy.an unofficial strike (=not organized by a trade union)· Some workers had been sacked for taking part in unofficial strikes.a wildcat strike (=without any warning)· Legislation to curb wildcat strikes will be introduced during the coming parliamentary session.an all-out strike (=in which all the workers have stopped working completely)· The company faces an all-out strike next month.a bitter strike (=with angry feelings between workers and managers)· The miners finally returned to work at the end of a long, bitter strike.a damaging/crippling strike (=having a bad effect on an industry)· The company now faces the prospect of a crippling strike.strike + NOUNstrike action (=a strike)· Hospital workers have voted in favour of strike action.a strike call (=when a group asks people to strike)· The ANC estimated that more than 4,000,000 people heeded its strike call.a strike ballot British English (=when workers vote on whether to strike)· The union is going to hold a strike ballot.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘go on a strike’. Say go on strike.THESAURUSstrike [countable] a period of time when a group of workers stop working because of a disagreement about pay, working conditions etc: · A teachers’ strike has been announced for next week.· The rail strike has resulted in major delays on roads across the country.industrial action [uncountable] British English activities such as strikes, or doing less work than usual, as a way of trying to persuade an employer to improve pay, conditions etc: · Lecturers voted to take industrial action over their workload.· Prison officers have threatened industrial action.stoppage [countable] British English, work stoppage American English a short strike, especially one that lasts for one day: · Customs officers will return to work today after a twenty-four hour stoppage.go-slow [countable] British English a period of time when a group of workers deliberately work more slowly than usual as a way of protesting about pay, conditions etc: · The hospital go-slow comes into effect tomorrow.· The union carried out strikes and go-slows in support of a wage claim.- indisposed
- indisposition
- indisputable
- indisputably
- indissoluble
- indissolubly
- indistinct
- indistinctly
- indistinguishable
- individual
- individualism
- individualist
- individualistic
- individuality
- individualize
- individualized
- individually
- Individual Retirement Account
- Individual Savings Account
- individuate
- indivisible
- indivisibly
- Indo-
- Indochina
- indoctrinate