Collocations with STRIKE
- Have you ever wondered why we “strike a deal” instead of “making” one?
- Do you know the difference between “going on strike” and an “air strike”?
- Are you looking for the most natural ways to use the word “strike” in professional and casual English?
Mastering strike collocations is a vital step toward achieving native-like fluency. Because the word “strike” functions as both a verb and a noun with vastly different meanings—ranging from physical actions to business negotiations—understanding which words naturally “cluster” with it will help you avoid awkward translations and reduce language anxiety in high-stakes conversations.
Common Collocations with STRIKE as a Verb
Making Agreements and Finding Equilibrium
In business and social contexts, “strike” often implies reaching a point of mutual agreement or a perfect middle ground.
- Strike a deal: To reach an agreement or arrangement. (Example: After hours of negotiating, the two companies finally managed to strike a deal.)
- Strike a balance: To find a satisfactory compromise between two opposing things. (Example: It is difficult to strike a balance between career ambitions and family life.)
- Strike a bargain: To reach an agreement on a price or terms. (Example: We managed to strike a bargain with the landlord for a lower monthly rent.)
Impact, Discovery, and Physical Actions
These collocations focus on the literal or metaphorical act of hitting or finding something suddenly.
- Strike gold: To find success or wealth suddenly. (Example: The startup really struck gold with their new app design.)
- Strike a match: To produce a flame by rubbing a match against a rough surface. (Example: He struck a match to light the candles in the dark room.)
- Strike a pose: To move into a particular position to be photographed or seen. (Example: The model was asked to strike a pose that looked natural and relaxed.)
- Strike a blow: To do something that supports or defends a cause, or physically hits someone. (Example: This new law strikes a blow for environmental protection.)
Thoughts and Impressions
Use these when discussing how you perceive something or how an idea affects you emotionally.
- Strike someone as: To give someone a particular impression. (Example: Her behavior struck me as very professional.)
- Strike a chord: To cause someone to feel sympathy or enthusiasm. (Example: The politician’s speech on education really struck a chord with the parents in the audience.)
- Strike fear into: To make someone feel very afraid. (Example: The sound of the alarm struck fear into the hearts of the residents.)
Essential Collocations using STRIKE as a Noun
Industrial Action and Labor Disputes
When “strike” is a noun, it often refers to workers refusing to work to protest conditions or pay.
- Go on strike: The act of starting a protest by not working. (Example: The train drivers decided to go on strike for better pay.)
- General strike: A strike involving all or most of the workers in a particular city or country. (Example: The general strike brought the entire city’s transportation to a standstill.)
- Hunger strike: A protest where someone refuses to eat. (Example: The prisoner went on a hunger strike to protest the unfair trial.)
- Call off a strike: To end a strike. (Example: The union called off the strike after the management agreed to their terms.)
Military and Strategic Attacks
In a military context, “strike” refers to a sudden attack.
- Air strike: An attack made by aircraft. (Example: The military carried out an air strike on the enemy’s supply lines.)
- Preemptive strike: An attack launched to prevent an enemy from attacking first. (Example: The general argued that a preemptive strike was necessary for national security.)
- Lightning strike: A very sudden and unexpected attack or event. (Example: The troops carried out a lightning strike before the sun rose.)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Strike a deal | Verb + Noun | To reach an agreement |
| Strike a balance | Verb + Noun | To find a compromise |
| Go on strike | Verb Phrase (Noun usage) | To stop working as a protest |
| Strike a chord | Verb + Noun | To resonate or create sympathy |
| Air strike | Noun + Noun | An attack by planes |
| Strike someone as | Verb + Pronoun | To create an impression |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make a deal (in a high-level negotiation) | Strike a deal |
| Find a balance (less idiomatic) | Strike a balance |
| Do a strike (working protest) | Go on strike |
| Hit gold | Strike gold |
“When we first met with the investors, it struck me as odd that they didn’t want to discuss the budget. However, we managed to strike a chord with them when we showed our environmental impact report. Eventually, we were able to strike a deal that helped us strike a balance between profit and sustainability. We felt like we had struck gold.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Strike Collocations
Is it “strike a deal” or “make a deal”?
Both are grammatically correct, but “strike a deal” is more idiomatic and common in professional, formal, or journalistic contexts. It implies a sense of reaching a successful conclusion after a period of negotiation.
What does “strike a chord” mean in everyday English?
This comes from music (striking a note on a piano). In conversation, it means something “resonates” with you or makes you feel an emotional connection because it relates to your own experiences.
How do I use “strike” when talking about clocks?
We use the verb “strike” when a clock sounds its bell to indicate the time. For example: “I was still awake when the clock struck midnight.” This is a very common collocation in storytelling.
Can “strike” be used for sports?
Yes, particularly in baseball where a “strike” is a noun referring to a pitch the batter fails to hit. However, in modern British English (soccer), a “striker” is a position, but the action is usually “to strike the ball.”
What is the difference between “strike” and “hit”?
“Hit” is more general and used in daily speech. “Strike” is often more formal or used in specific collocations (like “strike a match” or “strike a deal”). “Strike” often implies a more sudden or significant impact than “hit.”
The difference between 'going on strike' and 'air strike' was a perfect way to start. It really highlights how context changes everything for 'strike'. Thanks for a very clear explanation!
This article is a lifesaver for my professional English! I often have to negotiate, and 'strike a deal' and 'strike a bargain' are exactly what I need. Is 'strike a note' also a collocation and related to this theme?
That's wonderful, Aisha! These collocations are indeed invaluable for professional negotiation. Regarding 'strike a note,' yes, it is a very common collocation! While not directly related to 'agreements' or 'equilibrium,' it means to express a particular quality or feeling, e.g., 'The speaker struck a hopeful note.' It's another great example of the versatility of 'strike'!
I'm curious about the historical origin of using 'strike' for agreements. Does it come from the idea of striking a bell to mark an agreement, or something else entirely? A linguistic fact, perhaps?
What an interesting linguistic question, Chen! While exact etymology can be complex, the use of 'strike' for agreements likely stems from the older sense of 'to deliver a blow' or 'to impress (a mark or seal)'. This then evolved into the idea of making a decisive impact or achieving a definitive result, such as striking a coin, and eventually, striking a deal or bargain. It's about achieving a firm, concluded state!
Great article! The point about 'clustering' words naturally is super important for fluency. I've been working on active vocabulary, and this piece fits perfectly.
That's fantastic to hear, David! You've hit on a core principle of advanced English learning. Thinking in terms of word clusters, or collocations, rather than individual words, is a hallmark of native-like fluency. Keep up the excellent work on your active vocabulary!
Muito bom! This clarifies so much. I used to think 'strike' was only about hitting things. Now I have a much richer understanding. Will there be a part 2 with more 'strike' collocations?
Que bom, Maria! We're delighted to have broadened your understanding of 'strike.' It's a truly versatile word! We're always planning new content, so keep an eye on Translateen.com – there might just be more 'strike' collocations or similar deep-dives coming your way!
I loved the part about 'reducing language anxiety in high-stakes conversations.' That's exactly what I struggle with. Knowing the right collocation makes all the difference.
We totally understand, Sophie! High-stakes conversations can be daunting, but having the right vocabulary at your fingertips can significantly boost your confidence. Keep practicing these collocations, and you'll find those conversations becoming much smoother and less stressful!
I'm preparing for the IELTS exam, and vocabulary like this is crucial. This article provides a clear, concise breakdown. I'll be sure to add these to my flashcards! Is there a common mistake students make with 'strike' collocations you often see?
That's excellent exam preparation, Kwame! Mastering collocations will certainly boost your IELTS score. A very common mistake is trying to translate literally from one's native language, leading to phrases like 'make a balance' or 'reach a bargain.' The key is to learn these phrases as fixed chunks, just as you're doing with flashcards!
This is so useful! I never explicitly thought about 'strike' in terms of 'mutual agreement'. I've been trying to sound more professional in my work emails, and using 'strike a deal' instead of just 'agree to a deal' feels like a big step up. Are there any informal alternatives for 'strike a deal'?
That's fantastic, Priya! Using 'strike a deal' definitely adds a more sophisticated and professional touch. For informal alternatives, you might hear 'seal the deal' (to finalize an agreement, often after it's been struck), or simply 'make a deal.' However, 'strike a deal' itself isn't overly formal, so it works well in many professional but still natural-sounding contexts.
The summary mentions 'going on strike' vs 'air strike'. I know the difference in meaning, but it's interesting how the same word 'strike' is used. Does this versatility cause confusion for native speakers sometimes, or is the context always clear?
That's a brilliant observation, Jian! For native speakers, context almost always makes the meaning of 'strike' clear. The surrounding words (the collocations!) usually resolve any ambiguity. For example, 'The workers went on strike' clearly means a labor action, while 'The military launched an air strike' refers to a military attack. It's a great example of how context is king in English!
I once used 'hit a deal' in a meeting and got some confused looks. Now I understand why! This article perfectly explains why 'strike' is the natural choice here. This really helps reduce my language anxiety. Grazie!
Don't worry, Elena, that's a very common learner's moment! The good news is you're now much better equipped for those situations. Recognizing and using natural collocations like 'strike a deal' is exactly how you move towards native-like fluency and gain confidence. We're delighted to help reduce that language anxiety!