1a refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer:dockers voted for an all-out strike [mass noun]:local government workers went on strike [as modifier]:strike action
[with modifier] an organized refusal to do something expected or required, with a similar aim:a rent strike
2a sudden attack, typically a military one:the threat of nuclear strikes
(in sporting contexts) an act of hitting or kicking a ball:his 32nd-minute strike helped the team to end a run of three defeats
(in tenpin bowling) an act of knocking down all the pins with one’s first ball.
Fishing an act or instance of jerking or tightening the line to secure a fish that has already taken the bait or fly.
3a discovery of gold, minerals, or oil by drilling or mining:the Lena goldfields strike of 1912
4 Baseball a batter’s unsuccessful attempt to hit a pitched ball.
a pitch that passes through the strike zone.
North American something to one’s discredit:when they returned from Vietnam they had two strikes against them
5the horizontal or compass direction of a stratum, fault, or other geological feature:the mine workings follow the strike of the Bonsor Vein
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with object] hit forcibly and deliberately with one’s hand or a weapon or other implement:he raised his hand, as if to strike meone man was struck on the head with a stick [no object]:Ewan struck out at her
inflict (a blow): [with two objects]:he struck her two blows on the leg
accidentally hit (a part of one’s body) against something:she fell, striking her head against the side of the boat
come into forcible contact or collision with:he was struck by a car in Whitepark Road
(of a beam or ray of light or heat) fall on (an object or surface):the light struck her ring, reflecting off the diamond
(in sporting contexts) hit or kick (a ball):he struck the ball into the back of the net
produce (a musical note) by pressing or hitting a key.
2 [with object] (of a disaster, disease, or other unwelcome phenomenon) occur suddenly and have harmful or damaging effects on:a major earthquake struck the island [no object]:tragedy struck when Nick was killed in a car crash (as adjective, in combination struck)storm-struck areas
[no object] carry out an aggressive or violent action, typically without warning:it was eight months before the murderer struck again
(usually be struck down) kill or seriously incapacitate (someone):he was struck down by a mystery virus
(strike something into) cause or create a particular strong emotion in (someone):drugs—a subject guaranteed to strike fear into parents' hearts
[with object and complement] cause (someone) to be in a specified state:he was struck dumb
3 [with object] (of a thought or idea) come into the mind of (someone) suddenly or unexpectedly:a disturbing thought struck Melissa
cause (someone) to have a particular impression: [with clause]:it struck him that Marjorie was unusually silentthe idea struck her as odd
(be struck by/with) find particularly interesting, noticeable, or impressive:Lucy was struck by the ethereal beauty of the scene
(be struck on) informal be deeply fond of or infatuated with:she was rather struck on Angus, wasn’t she?
4 [no object] (of a clock) indicate the time by sounding a chime or stroke: [with complement]:the church clock struck twelve
(of time) be indicated by a clock sounding a chime or stroke:eight o’clock struck
5 [with object] ignite (a match) by rubbing it briskly against an abrasive surface:the match went out and he struck another
produce (fire or a spark) as a result of friction:his iron stick struck sparks from the pavement
bring (an electric arc) into being:heat is generated by an electric arc struck between two graphitic electrodes
6 [no object] (of employees) refuse to work as a form of organized protest, typically in an attempt to obtain a particular concession or concessions from their employer:workers may strike over threatened job losses
[with object]North American undertake strike action against (an employer):photoengravers voted to strike the New York Times
7 [with object] cancel, remove, or cross out with or as if with a pen:I will strike his name from the listthe Court of Appeal struck out the claim for exemplary damagesshe was striking words through with a pen
(strike someone off) officially remove someone from membership of a professional group:he was struck off by the Law Society and will never practise as a solicitor again
(strike something down) North American abolish a law or regulation:the law was struck down by the Supreme Court
8 [with object] make (a coin or medal) by stamping metal:they struck similar medals on behalf of the Normandy veterans
(in cinematography) make (another print) of a film:the film was reissued on a new print struck from the old negative
9 [with object] reach, achieve, or agree to (something involving agreement, balance, or compromise):the team has struck a deal with a sports marketing agencyyou have to strike a happy medium
(in financial contexts) reach (a figure) by balancing an account:last year’s loss was struck after allowing for depreciation of £67 million
Canadian form (a committee):the government struck a committee to settle the issue
10 [with object] discover (gold, minerals, or oil) by drilling or mining:if they do strike oil, there will be another test well in a year’s time
come to or reach:several days out of the village, we struck the Gilgit Road
[no object] (strike on/upon) discover or think of, especially unexpectedly or by chance:pondering, she struck upon a brilliant idea
11 [no object, with adverbial of direction] move or proceed vigorously or purposefully:she struck out into the lake with a practised crawlhe struck off down the track
(strike out) start out on a new or independent course or endeavour:after two years he was able to strike out on his ownhe’s struck out as a private eye
12 [with object] take down (a tent or the tents of an encampment):it took ages to strike camp
dismantle (theatrical scenery):the minute we finish this evening, they’ll start striking the set
lower or take down (a flag or sail), especially as a salute or to signify surrender:the ship struck her German colours
13 [with object] insert (a cutting of a plant) in soil to take root:best results are obtained from striking them in a propagator
[no object] (of a plant or cutting) develop roots:small conifers will strike from cuttings
[no object] (of a young oyster) attach itself to a bed:there is no better surface for the spat to strike on than another oyster
14 [no object] Fishing secure a hook in the mouth of a fish by jerking or tightening the line after it has taken the bait or fly.
strike an attitude (or pose)
hold one’s body in a particular position to create an impression:striking a dramatic pose, Antonia announced that she was leaving
British informal have good luck in a particular matter:Middlesbrough struck lucky when they chose McClaren last summer
strike it rich
informal acquire a great deal of money, typically in a sudden or unexpected way:he struck it rich when a distant cousin left him $8 million
strike a light
British informal, dated used as an expression of surprise, dismay, or alarm:cor, strike a light, he’s a crazy geezer and no mistake!
strike me pink
British informal, dated used to express astonishment or indignation.
strike while the iron is hot
make use of an opportunity immediately.
strike back
1retaliate:he struck back at critics who claim he is too negative
2(of a gas burner) burn from an internal point before the gas has become mixed with air.
strike in
archaic intervene in a conversation or discussion:Jacques struck in, and asked if he had ever seen the man before
strike someone out (or strike out)
Baseball dismiss someone (or be dismissed) by means of three strikes:Schmidt strikes out batter GarciaFerguson was struck out for the second time
(strike out) North American informal fail or be unsuccessful:the company struck out the first time it tried to manufacture personal computers
strike up (or strike something up)
(of a band or orchestra) begin to play a piece of music:they struck up the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’
(strike something up) begin a friendship or conversation with someone, typically in a casual way:he struck up an intimate conversation with her in the lobby
