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to strike

to strike

133 3.2
To stop work as a protest to get better pay
  • verb
  • /straɪk/
translation icon : hacer huelga
  • The workers decided to strike after negotiations for better pay broke down.
  • workers strike
  • unions strike
  • right to strike

Examples

  • In every mine and mill, where workers strike and organize, "says he, "you'll find Joe Hill.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • We strike tomorrow at 0600.

  • Like in France, we, we love to strike for everything.

  • Well, if we strike, let's go out and live, guys.

  • The union's 88 members at Centrepoint are now set to strike on 10, 11, and 30 November.

    Academic text (2011)
  • During the meeting, the union representatives announced their intention to strike if their demands were not met.

  • Thousands of teachers went on strike to advocate for improved classroom resources and smaller class sizes.

Synonyms

to go on strike
vsto strike
28 3.2

Stop working as a group to protest for better pay or conditions

is the shorter single-word term for this action
to walk out
vsto strike
11 4.1

Stop work and leave a place as a protest by workers

describes the same protest action but without the leaving aspect
1 3.8

To stop work together to ask the employer for higher pay

is used for protest to demand pay or other workplace improvements
to down tools
vsto strike
  • Literature
1 8.1

Workers stop work to protest about pay or conditions

is the neutral term for worker stoppage, not only this idiom
to strike work
vsto strike
5.7

To stop doing a job to protest for better pay or conditions

is the general verb used for worker protest in many contexts
to wildcat
vsto strike
8.1

To take part in a strike without union permission

applies to stopping work for protest whether authorized or not

Antonyms

1.0

Effort people use to do a job or task

1.0

To keep doing something without stopping

Idioms

66 3.3

Refusing to work to protest, usually by a group of workers

Make people feel a strong connection when it seems familiar

To seriously damage an idea or reputation

Do something quickly to use a good chance before it ends

To make a flame with a match or lighter

To take action that supports justice

To criticize or take advantage of someone when they are weak

Phrasal Verbs

50 7.4

Declare a law or rule no longer valid

To fight back after someone attacks or hurts you

to strike out
  • Jargon
31 4.1

In baseball, cause a batter to be out after they miss three pitches

Stop working as a group to protest for better pay or conditions

22 3.8

To start a conversation, friendship, or activity with someone in a quick informal way

To agree with someone after talking about the details

to strike out
  • Informal
18 3.9

Fail to succeed in an attempt to do something

Start talking to someone you do not know well

11 4.1

Begin to do something new on your own

Remove a name or item from a list by drawing a line through it

6 6.8

Cause someone to fall, become sick, or die suddenly

Move suddenly toward someone to try to hit or kick them

4 4.4

To start playing a song, usually by a band or group

Hit someone or something very hard

Have a strong effect that makes someone suddenly understand

To make someone unable to speak because they are very surprised or shocked

2 6.7

To remove a person or thing from an official list

To stop work together to ask the employer for higher pay

To find a useful clue that helps an investigation

To get unexpected good luck

To make a small spark by hitting a piece of flint to start a fire

To stop doing a job to protest for better pay or conditions

8.1

Take down a tent when leaving or ending an event

Compounds

29 3.2

To refuse to eat as a way to protest or demand change

A sudden flash of electricity from the sky that hits something or a sudden strong idea

strike zone
  • Specialized
11 4.4

Area over home plate between a batter's knees and shoulders where a pitch must pass to be called a strike

A military attack aimed at one target to avoid damage nearby

4 8.6

A surprise attack with nuclear weapons to destroy an enemy's ability to fight back

A surprise attack carried out to stop an enemy from attacking first

first strike
  • Specialized
3 5.0

An attack launched early to stop a threat that is about to happen, for example in war or computer attacks

Workers stay at their workplace and refuse to work until demands are met

A person who plans and speaks for workers who stop work for better pay or conditions

A strike by workers not approved by their union

ten-strike
  • Jargon
1 7.9

A bowler knocks down all ten pins with the first ball in a frame

strike pay
  • Jargon
1 6.7

Money a union gives members during a strike to help with living costs

8.0

A stoppage of work by workers to make managers follow safety and other workplace rules

7.2

A military action to stop an expected attack by an enemy before it happens

Workers stop work to support other workers who are not working

7.0

Workers stop work to support other workers on strike

strike-slip fault
  • Specialized
7.4

A break in the ground where two rock blocks move past each other horizontally

How Disruptive

to strike
133 3.2
to walk out
11 4.1
to slow down
687 1.4
to work to rule
  • Literature
7.5

Surface Forms

strike infinitive
striking present participle
strikes third person singular
struck past
struck past participle

Etymology

A helpful way to remember strike in the work sense is to think of people 'striking' their tools down or 'striking the tents' to stop work; the verb originally also meant 'take down' or stop. That's why workers who 'strike' put down tools and refuse to work.