What Does “Strike at sb” Mean?
“Strike at sb” means to try to hit or attack someone, either physically or metaphorically.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “strike at sb” is commonly used to describe an attempt to hit or attack a person. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example, you might say a boxer strikes at their opponent during a match, or someone might strike at another person’s reputation with harsh words. Understanding the Strike at sb meaning helps learners use it accurately in conversations and writing. This phrase emphasizes the action directed towards a specific person.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: strike at somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to try to hit or attack a person
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Strike at sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot separate the verb and the preposition. The object (sb) always follows the preposition “at.”
Correct pattern: strike + at + somebody
Example: He struck at the thief quickly.
How to Use Strike at sb?
Use “strike at sb” when describing an attempt to hit or attack a person. It can be physical, like in sports or fights, or figurative, such as attacking someone’s ideas or reputation.
This phrase usually appears in past or present tense and is followed directly by the person being targeted.
Examples
Imagine a boxing match where a fighter tries to hit his opponent. You could say:
- The boxer struck at his rival with a powerful punch.
- During the debate, she struck at her opponent’s argument with sharp criticism.
- He struck at the ball but missed.
- They tried to strike at the leader’s credibility during the election.
- She struck at him suddenly when he least expected it.
These examples show how “strike at sb in a sentence” can be used in both physical and metaphorical ways.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition.
Incorrect: He struck somebody at.
Correct: He struck at somebody.
Another mistake is using “strike sb” without “at” when the meaning is to aim a hit.
Incorrect: She struck him with anger. (This is okay but different meaning)
Correct: She struck at him during the fight.
Differences / Synonyms
“Strike at sb” differs from “strike sb” because the latter means to hit someone directly, while “strike at sb” suggests an attempt or aim to hit.
- Strike sb: to hit someone directly (e.g., He struck him hard.)
- Strike at sb: to try to hit or attack someone (e.g., He struck at him but missed.)
- Hit sb: more general, means to make contact (e.g., She hit the ball.)
- Attack sb: more aggressive, can be physical or verbal (e.g., They attacked the politician.)
Common Collocations
We often use “strike at” with certain objects or targets. Here are some common collocations:
- Strike at the heart: to attack the most important part
- Strike at the enemy: to attack an opponent
- Strike at the truth: to challenge or question facts
- Strike at the idea: to criticize a concept
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of strike at sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “strike at sb”:
John: Did you see the boxer strike at his opponent last night?
Mary: Yes, he tried several times but didn’t land a good hit.
John: It looked like he was striking at him out of frustration.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “strike at sb”:
- During the match, the player _______ at his rival but missed.
- She _______ at the unfair decision with strong words.
- The cat _______ at the mouse but couldn’t catch it.
FAQ
- What does “strike at sb” mean? It means to try to hit or attack someone.
- Is “strike at sb” separable? No, it is inseparable. The object comes after “at.”
- Can “strike at sb” be used figuratively? Yes, it can describe attacking ideas or reputations.
- What is the difference between “strike sb” and “strike at sb”? “Strike sb” means to hit directly, “strike at sb” means to attempt to hit.
- Can I say “strike somebody with something”? Yes, but it has a different meaning, focusing on the object used to hit.
