token strike: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal depending on context. Industrial 'strike' is neutral/news. 'Strike someone as' is more formal/informal narrative.
Quick answer
What does “token strike” mean?
to hit something or someone forcefully.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to hit something or someone forcefully; to stop work as a form of protest.
Can refer to achieving something suddenly (strike a deal), to have an impression (strike as odd), or a military attack (airstrike).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal in core meanings. 'To be on strike' is universal. In baseball (US) vs cricket (UK), 'strike' has sport-specific meanings. 'Lightning struck' is common in both.
Connotations
Industrial 'strike' carries the same strong union/employment rights connotations in both cultures. 'Strike a pose' is neutral in both.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK media in industrial relations contexts due to historical prevalence.
Grammar
How to Use “token strike” in a Sentence
[VN] Strike the ball.[VNN] Strike him a blow.[VN-ADJ] It strikes me as odd.[V that] It strikes me that you're right.[V] The union will strike.[V against N] Striking against unfair dismissal.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “token strike” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The postal workers may strike over pay.
- Doesn't it strike you as rather inefficient?
- He struck the ball cleanly into the net.
American English
- The teachers' union voted to strike.
- The defendant's testimony struck the jury as dishonest.
- She struck out the last batter to win the game.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Strike action is planned for Thursday.
- The strike committee met for talks.
American English
- Strike forces were deployed. (Military)
- The strike zone is defined by the knees and chest.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Industrial relations: 'The union voted to strike.' Deal-making: 'We hope to strike an agreement by Friday.'
Academic
Used in economics (labor strikes), sociology (social movements), literature ('a striking metaphor').
Everyday
'A thought struck me.' 'Lightning struck the tree.' 'The clock strikes twelve.'
Technical
Geology: 'strike and dip.' Military: 'precision strike.' Engineering: 'strike plate.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “token strike”
- *I was striked by lightning. (Correct: I was struck by lightning.)
- Confusing 'strike' (hit) with 'stroke' (gentle touch/medical event).
- Using 'strike a deal' in too informal a context (e.g., for agreeing what film to watch).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The past tense and past participle is 'struck'. 'Stricken' is used as an adjective (e.g., grief-stricken, stricken with fear).
A 'strike' is a work stoppage by employees. A 'boycott' is a refusal to buy, use, or participate in something (e.g., a product, company, event). Strikes are about labor; boycotts are about consumption/protest.
Yes, especially in the context of discovering resources or success. E.g., 'The company struck oil in the North Sea.' or 'He struck gold with his new business idea.'
It means to position your body in a deliberate, often dramatic or stylish way, typically for a photograph or to create an impression.
to hit something or someone forcefully.
Token strike is usually neutral to formal depending on context. industrial 'strike' is neutral/news. 'strike someone as' is more formal/informal narrative. in register.
Token strike: in British English it is pronounced /straɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /straɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Strike while the iron is hot”
- “Strike gold”
- “Strike a chord”
- “Three strikes and you're out”
- “Strike it rich”
- “Strike a happy medium”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CLOCK STRIKING twelve. The sound is a strong, sudden HIT. Workers on STRIKE are 'hitting' the company by stopping work.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE PHYSICAL FORCES (A thought struck me). TIME IS A MOVING OBJECT (The hour struck). NEGATIVE ACTIONS ARE HITS (Strike from the record).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'Her comment struck a nerve,' what does 'strike a nerve' mean?