What Does “Strike up sth” Mean?
“Strike up sth” means to start or begin something, often a conversation, friendship, or a relationship.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “strike up sth” is commonly used in everyday English to describe initiating something new, especially social interactions. When you “strike up” something, you start it, such as a chat with a stranger or a friendship. Understanding the Strike up sth meaning helps learners use it naturally in conversations. It often refers to positive beginnings and is useful in both formal and informal contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: strike up something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to start or begin something (e.g., a conversation or friendship)
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Strike up” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object between “strike” and “up” or after the entire phrasal verb.
- strike up a conversation
- strike a conversation up
Both forms are correct, but the first is more common.
How to Use Strike up sth?
Use “strike up sth” when you want to say someone has started something new, usually a social activity:
- Strike up a conversation
- Strike up a friendship
- Strike up a relationship
It is often used in positive or friendly contexts when people begin talking or interacting.
Examples
Imagine you meet someone new at a party. You might strike up a conversation to get to know them. Here are some examples of Strike up sth in a sentence:
- She struck up a conversation with the person sitting next to her.
- They struck up a friendship during their trip to Spain.
- He struck up an interesting discussion about books.
- We struck up a business partnership last year.
- It’s easy to strike up a chat when you’re at a social event.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “strike up” with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly. Here are typical errors:
- Incorrect: She strike up a conversation.
Correct: She struck up a conversation. - Incorrect: They strike up quickly friendship.
Correct: They struck up a friendship quickly.
Remember to use the correct past form “struck up” and place the object correctly.
Differences / Synonyms
“Strike up sth” is similar to “start,” “begin,” or “initiate,” but it is often used for social interactions. Compared to “start,” it feels more casual and friendly.
- Strike up vs Start: “Strike up” is more specific to conversations or relationships, while “start” is general.
- Strike up vs Break up: “Strike up” means to begin, while “break up” means to end.
- Strike up vs Take up: “Take up” means to begin a hobby or activity, not usually conversations.
Common Collocations
Strike up is often used with these objects. Knowing these collocations helps you sound natural:
- Conversation: start talking with someone
- Friendship: begin a friendly relationship
- Chat: start a casual talk
- Relationship: initiate a connection or bond
- Business partnership: begin a professional collaboration
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of strike up sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing how “strike up sth” can be used naturally:
Anna: I didn’t know anyone at the party, but I managed to strike up a conversation with a few people.
Ben: That’s great! It’s always nice to meet new friends.
Anna: Yes, I even struck up a friendship with someone from another city.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “strike up”:
- They _______ a conversation about travel during the flight.
- Last year, she _______ a friendship with her new neighbor.
- It’s easy to _______ a chat when you’re at a coffee shop.
Answers: struck up, struck up, strike up
FAQ
- What does “strike up sth” mean? It means to start or begin something, usually a social interaction like a conversation or friendship.
- Is “strike up” separable? Yes, you can place the object between “strike” and “up” or after the phrasal verb.
- Can I use “strike up” for any activity? It’s mostly used for conversations, friendships, or relationships, not for all actions.
- What is the past tense of “strike up”? The past tense is “struck up.”
- Is “strike up” formal or informal? It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
