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to strike a blow for justice

to strike a blow for justice

6.1
To take action that supports justice
  • idiom
translation icon : luchar por la justicia
  • She struck a blow for justice by advocating for the rights of the oppressed.

Examples

  • The activists hoped to strike a blow for justice with their peaceful demonstration.

  • She felt her testimony in court would strike a blow for justice and help others.

  • By passing the new law, the government struck a blow for justice.

  • The activists strike a blow for justice every time they protest.

  • The activists hoped to strike a blow for justice with their peaceful demonstration.

  • By passing the new law, the government struck a blow for justice.

  • She felt her testimony in court would strike a blow for justice and help others.

Synonyms

to fight for justice
vsto strike a blow for justice
6 3.7

To try to make things fair and protect people's rights

is about taking action that supports fairness without intense struggle
to stand up for justice
vsto strike a blow for justice
1 3.7

Speak or act to support fairness when it is threatened

is about initiating action to advance fairness rather than only defending it
to take up the cudgel
vsto strike a blow for justice
  • Archaic
8.9

Begin to strongly defend a person or cause in public

is used for actions that specifically promote fairness and rights

Antonyms

2.9

To be against something and try to stop it

How Supportive

to take action
161 2.8
to strike a blow for justice
6.1
to campaign
344 3.9
to stand up for
256 2.7
to support
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

strike + a + blow + for + justice

The components 'strike' + 'blow' convey a forceful action and 'for' indicates support, so the overall meaning 'take action in support of justice' is a metaphorical extension of a literal physical strike. Because this is a figurative use that is partially predictable from the parts but requires recognizing the metaphorical transfer, it is likely understandable in general but not fully transparent to a B1 learner without some exposure.

Etymology

Strike a blow for justice comes from the picture of a fight: to strike is to hit and a blow is a strong hit. So when someone 'strikes a blow for justice' they do an action that helps or defends justice.