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B1 verb #24 most common 10 min read

strike

Top 24

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips strike in 30 Seconds

Explanation strike in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'strike' is a bit advanced, but you might see it in very simple contexts like sports or basic actions. Think of it as a stronger word for 'hit.' You might hear it in a baseball game or when someone 'strikes' a match to start a fire. It is important to know that it means doing something with force. You don't need to know all the complex meanings yet. Just remember: strike = hit hard. For example, 'He strikes the ball.' It is an action word. You might also see it on a clock, like 'The clock strikes one.' This just means the clock makes a sound at 1:00. Keep it simple and focus on the physical movement of hitting something.

At the A2 level, you can start to learn more common uses of 'strike.' You will see it used for lightning: 'Lightning strikes the tree.' You will also learn about workers who 'strike' because they want more money. This is called 'going on strike.' It is a very common topic in news for beginners. You should also know the past tense is 'struck.' For example, 'Yesterday, the workers struck for better pay.' You might also use it to describe an impression, like 'It strikes me as a good idea.' This is a slightly more advanced way to say 'I think it is a good idea.' Focus on these three: hitting, working protests, and basic impressions.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with 'strike' in many contexts. You should use it to describe impressions of people ('He strikes me as honest') and to talk about reaching agreements ('They struck a deal'). You should also understand its use in idioms like 'strike a balance' or 'strike a chord.' At this level, you are expected to know that 'strike' is more formal and forceful than 'hit.' You should also be aware of the phrasal verb 'strike out,' which can mean to start something new or to fail. You should be able to use 'struck' correctly in sentences and understand the difference between the verb 'to strike' and the noun 'a strike.'

At the B2 level, you should master the nuances of 'strike.' This includes using it in more abstract ways, such as 'disaster struck' or 'it struck fear into their hearts.' You should be able to use it in professional contexts, like 'striking a balance between competing interests' or 'striking a compromise.' You should also understand its use in legal or formal settings, such as 'striking a name from a list.' Your vocabulary should include the adjective 'striking' (meaning very noticeable or attractive). You should also be familiar with more complex idioms like 'strike while the iron is hot' and 'strike gold' in a metaphorical sense. Your use of the word should feel natural and precise.

At the C1 level, 'strike' becomes a tool for sophisticated expression. You use it to convey subtle shades of meaning, such as how a particular piece of music 'strikes a chord' with a specific demographic. You understand its use in historical and literary contexts, such as 'the hour of revolution struck.' You can use it to describe complex impressions, like 'the irony of the situation struck him with full force.' You are also aware of technical uses, such as 'striking a coin' or 'striking a light.' You should be able to use 'stricken' correctly in compound adjectives like 'panic-stricken' or 'horror-stricken.' Your ability to choose 'strike' over 'hit' or 'occur' shows a high level of linguistic awareness.

At the C2 level, you have a complete command of 'strike' and all its metaphorical extensions. You can use it with precision in any register, from legal jargon to poetic prose. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. You can effortlessly navigate the most obscure idioms and phrasal verbs, such as 'strike up a conversation' or 'strike off on a tangent.' You use the word to create vivid imagery and emotional resonance in your writing. Whether you are discussing the 'striking' beauty of a landscape or the 'striking' similarities between two philosophies, your usage is nuanced, accurate, and contextually perfect. You are a master of this versatile verb.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

strike in 30 Seconds

To hit something or someone with significant force or using a specific tool or weapon.
To participate in a collective refusal to work, usually to gain better pay or conditions.
To suddenly occur to someone's mind or to give a specific impression to another person.
To reach an agreement, discover something valuable, or for a clock to sound the hour.

The verb strike is a powerhouse of the English language, functioning as a versatile tool that spans physical actions, labor relations, and abstract cognitive processes. At its most fundamental level, to strike means to deliver a physical blow. However, its usage evolves significantly as we move from literal physical contact to metaphorical impacts. In a professional context, it represents the ultimate collective action: the cessation of work to demand better conditions. In the realm of thought, it describes the suddenness of an idea or a realization hitting the mind like a bolt of lightning. Understanding 'strike' requires an appreciation for its inherent forcefulness; whether it is a hammer hitting a nail or a thought hitting a person, the action is rarely gentle or passive.

Physical Impact: To hit something with force, often using a tool or a body part. This is the most literal application of the word, seen in sports, construction, and daily accidents.

The blacksmith had to strike the glowing iron while it was still hot to shape the sword correctly.

Labor Relations: To refuse to work as a form of protest. This usage is central to history and sociology, representing the power of the workforce against management.

The factory workers decided to strike after the company refused to increase their hourly wages.

Beyond these, 'strike' is used to describe the ignition of a match, the discovery of valuable resources like oil or gold, and the reaching of a mutual agreement. It also describes how someone appears to others—how they 'strike' you. For example, a person might strike you as being very intelligent upon your first meeting. This breadth of meaning makes it a essential word for B1 learners and beyond, as it appears in news reports, literature, and casual conversation alike. The word carries a sense of suddenness and impact that synonyms like 'hit' or 'protest' sometimes lack. When lightning strikes, it is a moment of intense energy; when an idea strikes, it is a moment of clarity.

Sudden Realization: When a thought or realization occurs to someone suddenly and with significant impact.

It didn't strike me until much later that I had left my keys in the car.

The clock began to strike twelve, signaling the end of the year and the start of a new chapter.

Using 'strike' effectively requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object (strike the ball). As an intransitive verb, it can stand alone (the workers decided to strike). One of the most common patterns for B1 learners is the 'strike someone as' construction, which is used to describe impressions. For instance, 'He strikes me as a very honest man.' This implies that based on your observation, your impression of him is one of honesty. Another crucial pattern involves the discovery of something, such as 'striking gold' or 'striking oil,' which has moved from literal mining terminology into common metaphors for sudden success.

Impression Pattern: [Subject] + strike + [Object] + as + [Adjective/Noun Phrase]. This is used to convey a personal opinion or feeling about someone's character.

Does it strike you as odd that she hasn't called us back yet?

Agreement Pattern: To 'strike a deal' or 'strike a balance.' These are highly common collocations in business and academic writing.

The negotiators managed to strike a deal that satisfied both the environmentalists and the developers.

When discussing natural disasters or sudden events, 'strike' is the preferred verb for lightning, earthquakes, or diseases. 'Disaster struck the small village at midnight' sounds more dramatic and impactful than 'disaster happened.' This nuance is what elevates your English from basic to intermediate. Furthermore, the phrasal verb 'strike out' has multiple meanings, ranging from starting a new journey ('strike out on one's own') to failing in a specific task, particularly in sports. Mastering these variations allows for more precise communication. Always consider the intensity of the action; 'strike' implies a level of force or suddenness that 'hit' or 'touch' does not carry.

The hurricane is expected to strike the coast early tomorrow morning.

We need to strike a balance between work and personal life to avoid burnout.

The 'Strike a Pose' Pattern: Used in photography or performance to describe taking a specific physical stance.

You will encounter 'strike' in a wide variety of settings, from the evening news to the sports stadium. In news broadcasts, it is the standard term for industrial action. You might hear, 'Railway workers have voted to strike over pay and conditions.' This is a formal and precise way to describe the event. In the context of weather reporting, 'strike' is used for lightning or severe storms. In a more casual setting, friends might use it to describe their impressions of a new movie or a person they just met. 'How did the new boss strike you?' is a common way to ask for an initial opinion. In the world of music and clocks, 'strike' refers to the sound produced—a clock striking the hour or a musician striking a chord on a guitar.

News & Media: Used for labor protests, military attacks ('air strikes'), and natural disasters.

The news report mentioned that an air strike had targeted the enemy's supply lines.

Sports Commentary: In baseball, a 'strike' is a specific type of pitch; in soccer, a 'striker' is a player whose job is to score goals.

The batter was out after the pitcher threw a third strike right down the middle.

In literature and storytelling, 'strike' adds a layer of drama. An author might write, 'Fear struck his heart,' to convey a sudden, overwhelming emotion. This is much more evocative than saying 'he became afraid.' In historical contexts, you'll hear about people 'striking it rich' during the gold rush, a phrase that remains popular today to describe any sudden financial windfall. Even in technology, we 'strike' keys on a keyboard, though the physical force used today is much less than on old typewriters. The word is ubiquitous because it captures the essence of an event that is definitive, sudden, and impactful.

The pianist began to strike the keys with such passion that the audience was mesmerized.

It struck me as strange that the house was so quiet during the middle of the day.

Idiomatic Usage: Phrases like 'strike while the iron is hot' are common in motivational speeches and business advice.

One of the most frequent errors with 'strike' involves its irregular past tense forms. Many learners mistakenly use 'striked' instead of 'struck.' While 'striked' is used very specifically in baseball (he striked out), in almost every other context, 'struck' is the correct past tense and past participle. For example, 'The clock struck twelve,' not 'striked.' Another common confusion arises between 'strike' and 'hit.' While they are often synonyms, 'strike' usually implies a more formal or forceful action. You 'hit' a ball in a casual game, but a professional might 'strike' the ball with precision. Furthermore, 'strike' is often used for events that are out of one's control, like lightning or disease, whereas 'hit' is more general.

Past Tense Confusion: Incorrect: He striked the match. Correct: He struck the match. (Note: 'Striked' is only for baseball 'strike outs').

By the time we arrived, the clock had already struck midnight.

Preposition Errors: Learners often forget the 'as' in 'strike someone as.' Incorrect: He strikes me a nice person. Correct: He strikes me as a nice person.

The idea struck me as being particularly brilliant given the circumstances.

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'strike' with 'affect' when talking about disasters. While 'The earthquake affected the city' is correct, 'The earthquake struck the city' emphasizes the moment of impact and the suddenness of the event. Another nuance is the difference between 'on strike' and 'striking.' We say 'The workers are on strike' (noun usage) or 'The workers are striking' (verb usage). Mixing these up can lead to awkward phrasing. Finally, be careful with the word 'stricken.' It is a past participle used almost exclusively as an adjective in specific phrases like 'poverty-stricken' or 'grief-stricken,' and is rarely used as a simple verb form in modern English.

The area was poverty-stricken after the main industry closed down.

The workers have been on strike for three weeks now.

Confusing Strike and Hit: 'Hit' is more common for physical contact; 'strike' is more common for metaphorical impact or formal contexts.

Because 'strike' has so many meanings, its alternatives depend entirely on the context. If you are talking about physical contact, 'hit,' 'bash,' 'smack,' or 'knock' might be more appropriate depending on the intensity. If you are talking about labor, 'protest' or 'walkout' are common synonyms. In the context of an impression, you might use 'seem' or 'appear,' though these lack the 'impact' nuance of 'strike.' For instance, 'He seems nice' is neutral, while 'He strikes me as nice' implies a more active observation on your part. Understanding these subtle differences helps you choose the word that perfectly fits the tone of your message.

Physical Synonyms: 'Hit' (general), 'Smite' (archaic/literary), 'Pummel' (repeated hitting), 'Clout' (a heavy blow).

The boxer continued to pummel his opponent until the referee stopped the fight.

Labor Alternatives: 'Walkout' (sudden strike), 'Industrial action' (formal/broad), 'Picket' (protesting outside the workplace).

The union organized a walkout to protest the new safety regulations.

When an idea 'strikes' you, you could also say it 'occurred to' you or 'dawned on' you. 'It dawned on me' suggests a slow realization, whereas 'it struck me' suggests a sudden one. In business, 'striking a deal' can be replaced with 'negotiating' or 'finalizing' an agreement. If you are 'striking a pose,' you are 'positioning' yourself. The richness of 'strike' lies in its ability to cover all these bases, but knowing the alternatives allows for greater variety in your writing. For example, in a formal report, you might prefer 'industrial action' over 'strike' to sound more objective. In a poem, 'smite' might provide the dramatic flair you need.

It suddenly occurred to her that she had forgotten her passport at home.

The two companies finally finalized the merger after months of talks.

Impression Synonyms: 'Appear,' 'Seem,' 'Come across as.' 'He comes across as very confident' is a great alternative to 'He strikes me as confident.'

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The phrase 'strike a deal' comes from the ancient practice of striking hands together (shaking hands) to seal a bargain. This physical action became a metaphor for the agreement itself. Similarly, 'striking a coin' refers to the physical act of hitting a metal blank with a die to create the image on the coin.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /straɪk/

US /straɪk/

Single syllable word, so the stress is on the entire word.

Rhymes With

bike hike like mike pike spike trike alike dislike

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'stray-ik' (two syllables).
Confusing the 'ai' sound with 'ay' as in 'steak'.
Not pronouncing the final 'k' clearly.
Mixing it up with 'stroke'.
Incorrectly adding an 'e' sound at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context, but has many meanings.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of irregular past tense 'struck'.

Speaking 3/5

Common in idioms and everyday expressions.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish between noun and verb forms.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

hit work idea clock match

Learn Next

protest negotiate impression impact coincide

Advanced

industrial action collective bargaining stricken smite arbitration

Grammar to Know

Irregular Verbs

The past tense of strike is struck, not striked.

Stative-like use of 'strike'

In 'He strikes me as kind,' the verb describes a state of impression rather than a physical action.

Phrasal Verbs

'Strike out' and 'Strike up' have meanings that cannot be guessed from 'strike' alone.

Passive Voice with Disasters

'The city was struck by a hurricane' is a common way to report news.

Noun vs Verb

'A strike' (noun) refers to the event, while 'to strike' (verb) refers to the action.

Examples by Level

The boy will strike the drum.

Le garçon va frapper le tambour.

Future tense with 'will'.

Strike the match to start the fire.

Craquez l'allumette pour allumer le feu.

Imperative mood.

The clock will strike one soon.

L'horloge va bientôt sonner une heure.

Subject-verb agreement.

Do not strike your brother.

Ne frappe pas ton frère.

Negative imperative.

The ball will strike the wall.

La balle va frapper le mur.

Simple future.

He likes to strike the keys of the piano.

Il aime frapper les touches du piano.

Infinitive phrase.

The lightning can strike at any time.

La foudre peut frapper à tout moment.

Modal verb 'can'.

Strike the nail with the hammer.

Frappez le clou avec le marteau.

Direct object 'the nail'.

The workers decided to strike for better pay.

Les travailleurs ont décidé de faire grève pour un meilleur salaire.

Infinitive of purpose.

It struck me that I forgot my bag.

Il m'est apparu que j'avais oublié mon sac.

Past tense 'struck'.

The clock struck twelve times.

L'horloge a sonné douze fois.

Irregular past tense.

The snake is ready to strike.

Le serpent est prêt à attaquer.

Adjective + infinitive.

That idea strikes me as very interesting.

Cette idée me semble très intéressante.

Present simple for impressions.

They want to strike a deal today.

Ils veulent conclure un accord aujourd'hui.

Collocation 'strike a deal'.

The storm struck the coast yesterday.

La tempête a frappé la côte hier.

Past simple with time marker.

He struck the ball very hard.

Il a frappé la balle très fort.

Adverbial phrase 'very hard'.

She strikes me as someone who is very reliable.

Elle me donne l'impression d'être quelqu'un de très fiable.

Relative clause 'who is...'

We need to strike a balance between quality and cost.

Nous devons trouver un équilibre entre la qualité et le coût.

Modal 'need to'.

The miners have been on strike for a month.

Les mineurs sont en grève depuis un mois.

Present perfect continuous with 'on strike'.

It struck fear into the hearts of the enemies.

Cela a semé la terreur dans le cœur des ennemis.

Metaphorical usage.

He decided to strike out on his own and start a business.

Il a décidé de se lancer seul et de créer une entreprise.

Phrasal verb 'strike out'.

The similarity between the two cases is striking.

La similitude entre les deux cas est frappante.

Participial adjective 'striking'.

They managed to strike a compromise after long talks.

Ils ont réussi à trouver un compromis après de longues discussions.

Verb 'manage to'.

A sudden thought struck her while she was driving.

Une pensée soudaine lui est venue alors qu'elle conduisait.

Past continuous background action.

The tragedy struck just as they were beginning to recover.

La tragédie a frappé juste au moment où ils commençaient à se rétablir.

Conjunction 'just as'.

His comments struck a chord with the local community.

Ses commentaires ont trouvé un écho auprès de la communauté locale.

Idiom 'strike a chord'.

The judge ordered the testimony to be struck from the record.

Le juge a ordonné que le témoignage soit rayé du procès-verbal.

Passive voice 'to be struck'.

They are striking for better working conditions and shorter hours.

Ils font grève pour de meilleures conditions de travail et des horaires plus courts.

Present continuous for ongoing action.

It strikes me as odd that he hasn't mentioned the promotion.

Il me semble étrange qu'il n'ait pas mentionné la promotion.

Dummy subject 'it'.

The ship struck an iceberg in the middle of the night.

Le navire a heurté un iceberg au milieu de la nuit.

Direct object 'an iceberg'.

We must strike while the iron is hot to secure the investment.

Nous devons battre le fer tant qu'il est chaud pour obtenir l'investissement.

Idiom as a conditional strategy.

The contrast between the two paintings is quite striking.

Le contraste entre les deux tableaux est assez frappant.

Adverb 'quite' modifying an adjective.

The sheer scale of the project struck me as almost impossible.

L'ampleur même du projet m'a semblé presque impossible.

Adjective 'sheer' for emphasis.

He has a striking resemblance to his late grandfather.

Il a une ressemblance frappante avec son défunt grand-père.

Adjective 'striking' meaning remarkable.

The company was struck by a series of unfortunate events.

L'entreprise a été frappée par une série d'événements malheureux.

Passive voice with 'by' agent.

The hour of decision has finally struck for the board members.

L'heure de la décision a enfin sonné pour les membres du conseil d'administration.

Present perfect for recent relevance.

She was horror-stricken by the news of the accident.

Elle a été frappée d'horreur par la nouvelle de l'accident.

Compound adjective with 'stricken'.

The poem strikes a balance between melancholy and hope.

Le poème trouve un équilibre entre mélancolie et espoir.

Abstract direct object.

The union is prepared to strike if negotiations fail again.

Le syndicat est prêt à faire grève si les négociations échouent à nouveau.

Conditional 'if' clause.

It never struck me that he might be lying to us.

Il ne m'est jamais venu à l'esprit qu'il puisse nous mentir.

Negative 'never' with past tense.

The minimalist design strikes a perfect note of modern elegance.

Le design minimaliste apporte une touche parfaite d'élégance moderne.

Idiomatic 'strike a note'.

He was struck off the medical register for professional misconduct.

Il a été rayé de l'ordre des médecins pour faute professionnelle.

Phrasal verb 'strike off'.

The suddenness of the revelation struck him dumb for a moment.

La soudaineté de la révélation l'a laissé muet pendant un moment.

Object complement 'dumb'.

The strikers are picketing the main entrance to the factory.

Les grévistes font le piquet de grève à l'entrée principale de l'usine.

Noun 'strikers' and verb 'picketing'.

It is striking how little has changed in the last decade.

Il est frappant de voir à quel point peu de choses ont changé au cours de la dernière décennie.

Expletive 'it' with 'striking' as subject complement.

The lightning struck with such ferocity that the ground shook.

La foudre a frappé avec une telle férocité que le sol a tremblé.

Result clause 'such... that'.

The author strikes a chord with readers across all generations.

L'auteur trouve un écho auprès des lecteurs de toutes les générations.

Prepositional phrase 'across all generations'.

We must strike a deal before the market closes for the weekend.

Nous devons conclure un accord avant que le marché ne ferme pour le week-end.

Temporal clause 'before...'.

Common Collocations

strike a deal

strike a balance

strike a pose

strike a chord

lightning strike

hunger strike

strike gold

strike fear

strike a match

air strike

Common Phrases

on strike

— Refusing to work as part of a protest. It is used as a prepositional phrase.

The bus drivers are on strike today.

strike it rich

— To suddenly become very wealthy, often through luck or discovery. It is an idiomatic expression.

He struck it rich when he sold his company.

strike a light

— To light a match or a lighter. It can also be an old-fashioned exclamation of surprise.

Can you strike a light so I can see the path?

strike home

— When a comment or action has a strong effect or is understood perfectly. It hits the target emotionally.

His criticism really struck home.

strike lucky

— To have a sudden piece of good luck. It is more common in British English.

I struck lucky and found the last ticket.

strike a blow for

— To do something that helps a cause or a movement. It implies a significant contribution.

The court's decision struck a blow for civil rights.

strike out

— To start doing something new or independent. It can also mean to fail in baseball.

She decided to strike out on her own as a freelancer.

strike while the iron is hot

— To take advantage of an opportunity as soon as it exists. It is a very common proverb.

We should strike while the iron is hot and sign the contract now.

strike a bargain

— To reach an agreement on a price or a deal. It is common in trade and business.

After some haggling, they struck a bargain.

strike a match

— The physical act of igniting a match by rubbing it against a rough surface.

He struck a match and lit the campfire.

Often Confused With

strike vs stroke

A stroke is a gentle touch or a medical emergency; a strike is a forceful hit.

strike vs hit

Hit is more general and casual; strike is more specific, formal, or sudden.

strike vs stuck

Stuck is the past of stick (to be fixed in place); struck is the past of strike.

Idioms & Expressions

"strike a chord"

— To cause someone to feel sympathy, emotion, or enthusiasm. It resonates with them.

The candidate's speech struck a chord with the voters.

neutral

"strike while the iron is hot"

— To act quickly when the opportunity is right. Based on blacksmithing.

The market is up, so we should strike while the iron is hot.

neutral

"strike it rich"

— To suddenly make a lot of money. Often used for business or gambling.

Many people moved to California hoping to strike it rich.

informal

"strike gold"

— To find exactly what you were looking for or to achieve great success.

The scientist struck gold with her latest experiment.

neutral

"strike a pose"

— To hold a particular position for a photo or to impress others.

She struck a pose in front of the mirror.

neutral

"strike a balance"

— To find a middle ground between two different things. Very common in advice.

You need to strike a balance between study and play.

neutral

"strike fear into"

— To make someone feel very afraid. Often used in storytelling.

The sight of the dragon struck fear into the villagers.

literary

"strike a match"

— To ignite a match. Also used metaphorically for starting something.

He struck a match and the room filled with light.

neutral

"strike out"

— To begin a journey or a new phase of life independently.

At eighteen, he struck out for the big city.

neutral

"strike a deal"

— To finalize an agreement or contract.

The two countries finally struck a deal on trade.

formal

Easily Confused

strike vs Struck vs Striked

Irregular vs regular verb forms.

Struck is the standard past tense for all meanings except the baseball term 'strike out,' where 'striked' is sometimes used in specific jargon, though 'struck out' is still common.

The clock struck (not striked) five.

strike vs Strike vs Stroke

Similar spelling and sound.

Strike implies force and impact. Stroke implies a smooth, gentle motion or a medical condition in the brain.

He struck the nail, but he stroked the cat.

strike vs Strike vs Attack

Both involve hitting or hurting.

An attack is a general term for aggression. A strike is often a single, specific, and sudden act of force.

The cobra will strike quickly, but the army will attack the city.

strike vs Strike vs Occur

Both used for ideas.

Occur is neutral. Strike implies the idea came suddenly and with a strong impact.

It occurred to me later, but it struck me immediately.

strike vs Strike vs Picket

Both related to labor protests.

A strike is the act of stopping work. Picketing is the act of standing outside the workplace with signs.

They are on strike and have been picketing since Monday.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + strike + Object

I strike the drum.

Subject + struck + Object

The lightning struck the house.

It + strikes + me + that + Clause

It strikes me that we are lost.

Subject + strike + me + as + Adjective

You strike me as very smart.

Subject + strike + a + Noun

We must strike a balance.

Subject + be + struck + by + Noun

I was struck by her beauty.

Subject + be + struck + off + Noun

He was struck off the list.

Compound Adjective + Noun

The terror-stricken child ran away.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written English, especially in news and sports.

Common Mistakes

He striked the ball. → He struck the ball.
The past tense of strike is irregular: struck.
It struck to me that I was late. → It struck me that I was late.
Do not use 'to' after strike when it means 'occurred to'.
He strikes me a good man. → He strikes me as a good man.
The phrase 'strike someone as' requires the word 'as'.
The workers are in strike. → The workers are on strike.
The correct preposition for labor protests is 'on'.
The clock stroked twelve. → The clock struck twelve.
Stroke is a different word; strike is used for clocks.

Tips

Remember the Irregularity

Always use 'struck' for the past tense. 'He struck the match' is correct. 'He striked the match' is a common mistake for learners.

Use for Impressions

Try using 'He strikes me as...' instead of 'I think he is...' to sound more natural and advanced in your speaking.

Suddenness is Key

Use 'strike' when you want to emphasize that something happened very quickly or unexpectedly, like an idea or a disaster.

Striking a Deal

In professional settings, 'strike a deal' is a very common and useful collocation for reaching an agreement.

Avoid Overusing 'Hit'

In your essays, replace 'hit' with 'strike' when talking about the impact of social issues or natural events for a more formal tone.

Emotional Resonance

Use 'strike a chord' when you want to say that something really connected with people's feelings or experiences.

The Final 'K'

Make sure to pronounce the 'k' at the end clearly. If you drop it, the word might sound like 'stray,' which is completely different.

On Strike vs Striking

'On strike' is more common when describing the state of the workers. 'They have been on strike for a week' is a standard phrase.

Disaster Verbs

'Strike' is the perfect verb for earthquakes, hurricanes, and lightning. It conveys the power of nature.

Striking Gold

Use 'strike gold' to describe a lucky or very successful discovery in any area of life, not just mining.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Strike' in bowling: you 'hit' the pins with 'force' and the game 'stops' for a moment while they are reset. Hit, force, stop—the three main meanings!

Visual Association

Imagine a lightning bolt (strike) hitting a clock (striking the hour) while workers hold signs (on strike) in the background.

Word Web

hit protest realize lightning clock deal pose match

Challenge

Try to write a short paragraph using 'strike' in three different ways: as a physical hit, a labor protest, and a sudden thought.

Word Origin

The word 'strike' comes from the Old English 'strican,' which meant to pass over, go, or move. It is related to the German 'streichen.' Over time, the meaning shifted from a gentle movement to a more forceful one. By the 14th century, it meant to deal a blow. The labor meaning (to stop work) developed in the 18th century, possibly from the sailors' practice of 'striking' (lowering) a ship's sails to prevent it from leaving port during a dispute.

Original meaning: To stroke, rub, or move gently over a surface.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'air strikes' or 'military strikes' as these are sensitive topics related to conflict and loss of life.

Strikes are a common feature of industrial relations in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada, often leading to significant public debate.

The song 'Vogue' by Madonna ('Strike a pose'). The 1984-85 UK Miners' Strike. The 'three strikes' law in the US legal system.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Labor and Work

go on strike
call a strike
break a strike
strike action

Sports

strike the ball
three strikes
strike zone
striker

Thinking and Ideas

it strikes me
strike a chord
sudden strike
strike as

Nature and Disasters

lightning strike
disaster struck
earthquake strikes
strike the coast

Agreements

strike a deal
strike a bargain
strike a balance
strike a compromise

Conversation Starters

"Does it strike you as strange that the weather has been so warm lately?"

"Have you ever been in a situation where you had to strike a balance between two difficult choices?"

"What strikes you as the most important quality in a good friend?"

"If you could strike a deal with your younger self, what advice would you give?"

"Has a piece of music ever struck a chord with you so deeply that you cried?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when a sudden realization struck you. What was the situation and how did it change your perspective?

Write about a professional or personal balance you are trying to strike right now. What are the challenges?

If you were to go on strike for a cause you believe in, what would it be and why?

Reflect on a person you met recently. How did they strike you at first, and has your opinion changed?

Imagine you struck gold (metaphorically). What would that look like in your life today?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In modern English, 'striked' is almost always incorrect. The past tense of 'strike' is 'struck.' The only exception is in baseball, where some people say a player 'striked out,' but even there, 'struck out' is more common and grammatically accepted.

It means to trigger an emotional response or to resonate with someone. For example, 'The movie's theme of loss struck a chord with me because I recently lost my dog.' It comes from the idea of hitting a musical note that sounds right.

Yes, 'strike' is frequently used as a noun. It can mean a labor protest ('the workers are on strike'), a success in bowling, a pitch in baseball, or a military attack ('an air strike').

'Hit' is the most common and general word. 'Strike' is more formal and often implies a more sudden or forceful action. You 'hit' a light switch, but lightning 'strikes' a tree.

Use this pattern to describe your impression of someone. 'He strikes me as a very talented musician' means 'My impression of him is that he is a very talented musician.' Always include the 'as'.

It is a proverb that means you should take action immediately when you have a good opportunity, before the situation changes and the opportunity is gone.

In modern English, 'stricken' is mostly used as an adjective, not a verb. You see it in words like 'poverty-stricken' or 'panic-stricken.' The past participle of the verb 'strike' is 'struck.'

It means to find a way to give equal importance to two different or opposing things. For example, 'I need to strike a balance between saving money and enjoying my life.'

An air strike is a military attack carried out by aircraft, usually dropping bombs or firing missiles at a specific target on the ground.

Yes, in the phrases 'strike gold' or 'strike oil,' it means to discover a large amount of something valuable underground. Metaphorically, it means to find great success.