What is strike? Pronunciation and usage in English

strike means . Learn how to pronounce and use strike through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of strike

strikeverb/noun

/strʌɪk/
Definition & pronunciation of strike

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "strike." It's a tricky one because it has a couple of common pronunciations! Here's a breakdown of both:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Sounds like: /ˈstraɪk/ (stress on the first syllable)
  • Break it down:
    • St-: Pronounced like the "st" in "stop." (Short "t" sound)
    • -ra: Pronounced like "ruh" (as in "rub") - This is a quick, almost unstressed vowel sound.
    • -ike: Pronounced like "ike" – like the name Ike.
  • Putting it together: "Struh-ike" (but very quickly and lightly pronounced; the 'r' in 'ruh' is often softened or almost silent)

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: /strɪk/ (stress on the second syllable)
  • Break it down:
    • str: Pronounced like "str" in "street".
    • i: Pronounced like the "i" in "bit." (a short "i" sound)
    • k: Pronounced like "k" in "kite."
  • Putting it together: "Strik" – similar to the French word “striker”.

Here's a helpful comparison chart:

Feature American English /ˈstraɪk/ British English /strɪk/
Stress 1st syllable 2nd syllable
1st Syllable “Struh” (quick "ruh") “Str”
2nd Syllable “Ike” "i" (as in "bit")

Resources to Listen and Practice:

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Usage and examples with the word strike in English

Let's break down how to use the word "strike" – it's surprisingly versatile! It has several different meanings and nuances. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. To Physically Hit or Knock Something:

  • Most Basic Meaning: This is the original, literal definition. It means to hit something with force.
    • Example: "He struck the ball with his bat."
    • Example: "The lightning struck the tree."
    • Example: “The boxer struck a powerful blow.”

2. To Begin an Action Forcefully (Often a Protest):

  • Strikes (as in a labor strike): This is a very common usage, especially in the context of workers demanding better conditions.
    • Definition: To suddenly and deliberately stop work as a form of protest.
    • Examples:
      • "The factory workers went on strike to demand higher wages."
      • "The teachers are striking for smaller class sizes."
      • "The union called for a strike."
    • Related terms: strike force, strike deadline, strike vote

3. To Suddenly Appear or Occur:

  • Strike (meaning to suddenly happen): Used to describe something unexpectedly appearing or happening. This often has a sense of surprise.
    • Examples:
      • "A cold struck him suddenly."
      • "A wave of sadness struck her."
      • "A strange noise struck him."
      • “A realization struck him – he’d forgotten his keys.”

4. To Become Effective or Successful:

  • Strike (meaning to be successful or make an impact): This usage is less common but increasingly used, particularly in business and marketing.
    • Definition: To be effective or successful after an initial effort. It suggests something has "hit the mark."
    • Examples:
      • "The new advertising campaign really struck a chord with the audience." (meaning it resonated well)
      • "His speech struck a powerful note of hope."
      • "The design struck a balance between form and function."

5. (Figurative) Strike (Reaction or Response)

  • Strike back: To retaliate or respond forcefully.
    • Example: "The company was accused of discrimination, and they struck back with a lawsuit."

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "strike" depends entirely on the surrounding words and the situation.
  • Verb vs. Noun: "Strike" can be both a verb (an action) and a noun (the act itself).
    • Verb: He struck the ball.
    • Noun: "The strike lasted for two weeks."
  • Figurative Language: Be mindful that “strike” is frequently used figuratively, to describe feelings, ideas, or events.

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word strike

Idioms of the word strike

be struck by/on/with somebody/something
(informal)to be impressed or interested by somebody/something; to like somebody/something very much
  • I was struck by her youth and enthusiasm.
  • We're not very struck on that new restaurant.
drive/strike a hard bargain
to argue in an aggressive way and force somebody to agree on the best possible price or arrangement
    hit/strike home
    if a remark, etc. hits/strikes home, it has a strong effect on somebody, in a way that makes them realize what the true facts of a situation are
    • Her face went pale as his words hit home.
    hit/strike pay dirt
    (informal)to suddenly be in a successful situation, especially one that makes you rich
    • The band really hit pay dirt with their last album.
    hit/strike the right/wrong note
    (especially British English)to do, say or write something that is suitable/not suitable for a particular occasion
    • It is a bizarre tale and the author hits just the right note of horror and disbelief.
    • Unfortunately, the president struck the wrong note in his speech, ignoring the public mood.
    hit/strike the woodwork
    (British English, informal)to hit the wooden frame of the goal in the game of football (soccer), instead of scoring a goal
    • She hit the woodwork twice before scoring.
    lightning never strikes (in the same place) twice
    (saying)an unusual or unpleasant event is not likely to happen in the same place or to the same people twice
      sound/strike a note (of something)
      to express feelings or opinions of a particular kind
      • She sounded a note of warning in her speech.
      • The touch of cynicism struck a slightly sour note.
      strike a balance (between A and B)
      to manage to find a way of being fair to two things that are opposed to each other; to find an acceptable position that is between two things
      • We need to strike a balance between these conflicting interests.
      strike a bargain/deal (with somebody/something)
      to make an agreement with somebody in which both sides have an advantage
      • Perhaps we could strike a bargain.
      • The United States has struck a historic deal with India.
      strike a blow for/against/at something
      to do something in support of/against a belief, principle, etc.
      • He felt that they had struck a blow for democracy.
      strike/touch a chord (with somebody)
      to say or do something that makes people feel sympathy or enthusiasm
      • The speaker had obviously struck a chord with his audience.
      strike fear, etc. into somebody/sb’s heart
      (formal)to make somebody be afraid, etc.
      • The sound of gunfire struck fear into the hearts of the villagers.
      strike gold
      to find or do something that brings you a lot of success or money
      • He has struck gold with his latest novel.
      strike/hit home
      if a remark, etc. strikes/hits home, it has a strong effect on somebody, in a way that makes them realize what the true facts of a situation are
      • His face went pale as her words struck home.
      strike it rich
      (informal)to get a lot of money, especially suddenly or unexpectedly
        strike (it) lucky
        (informal)to have good luck
        • We certainly struck it lucky with the weather.
        strike a nerve (with somebody)
        to have a strong effect
        • His work strikes a nerve with people who are attracted to nostalgia.
        • It seems I struck a nerve with my last post about cell phones.
        • Nissan may well strike a popular nerve here.
        strike/hit pay dirt
        (informal)to suddenly be in a successful situation, especially one that makes you rich
        • The band really struck pay dirt with their last album.
        strike a pose/an attitude
        (figurative)to hold your body in a particular way to create a particular impression
        • to strike a dramatic pose
        • He strikes an attitude of bravery and lonely defiance.
        strike/hit the right/wrong note
        (especially British English)to do, say or write something that is suitable/not suitable for a particular occasion
        • It is a bizarre tale and the author strikes just the right note of horror and disbelief.
        strike while the iron is hot
        (saying)to make use of an opportunity immediately
          within striking distance (of something)
          near enough to be reached or attacked easily; near enough to reach or attack something easily
          • The beach is within striking distance.
          • The cat was now within striking distance of the duck.

          Practice with vocabulary strike

          Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

          1. The union members threatened to _____ if their demands for improved working conditions were not met.
          2. The management team plans to _____ new policies by the end of the quarter to improve efficiency.
          3. An innovative solution suddenly _____ him during the brainstorming session.
          4. The new regulations will significantly _____ how businesses operate in the city.

          Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

          1. Which word best completes the sentence: "The candidate's confident demeanor managed to _____ a positive impression on the interview panel." a) cause b) make c) strike d) leave

          2. Which word correctly fills the blank: "The committee is working to _____ the safety of all employees." a) ensure b) insure c) assure d) secure

          3. Which of the following phrases correctly completes the sentence: "After weeks of intense negotiations, both parties were finally able to _____ a mutually beneficial agreement." a) come to b) reach c) strike d) achieve

          4. Which word best describes the outcome: "The unforeseen market fluctuations had a significant _____ on the company's profits." a) affect b) effect c) influence d) impact

          5. Which phrase can replace the underlined part in the sentence: "The team managed to discover a rich vein of gold in the old mine." a) hit upon a valuable deposit b) locate a substantial amount c) strike gold d) find a significant quantity

          Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

          1. Original: The employees stopped working collectively to protest the proposed changes to their benefits package. Rewrite (using "strike"):

          2. Original: Her presentation made a powerful and lasting impression on the board members. Rewrite (NOT using "strike"):

          3. Original: After extensive discussions, the two companies finally reached an agreement on the merger terms. Rewrite (using "strike"):

          Answer:

          Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

          1. strike
          2. implement
          3. struck
          4. affect

          Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

          1. b) make, c) strike, d) leave
          2. a) ensure
          3. a) come to, b) reach, c) strike, d) achieve
          4. b) effect, c) influence, d) impact
          5. c) strike gold

          Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

          1. The employees decided to go on strike to protest the proposed changes to their benefits package.
          2. Her presentation left a powerful and lasting impact on the board members.
          3. After extensive discussions, the two companies finally managed to strike a deal on the merger terms.

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