Strike up
verb
To begin to play or perform music or a song.
The band struck up a lively tune.
Often appears as...
- strike up the band
- strike up a tune
verb
To start a conversation with someone.
He struck up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to him.
Often appears as...
- strike up a conversation
- strike up a chat
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To form or start a relationship, friendship, or some kind of connection.
They struck up a friendship after working together on a project.
Often appears as...
- strike up a friendship
- strike up a partnership
verb
To begin to play or perform music or a song.
The band struck up a lively tune.
Often appears as...
- strike up the band
- strike up a tune
verb
To start a conversation with someone.
He struck up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to him.
Often appears as...
- strike up a conversation
- strike up a chat
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To form or start a relationship, friendship, or some kind of connection.
They struck up a friendship after working together on a project.
Often appears as...
- strike up a friendship
- strike up a partnership
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Music Initiation
Use 'strike up' to describe musicians starting to play, often spontaneously or to signal the beginning of an event.
As soon as guests arrived, the quartet struck up a classical piece.
Pro Tip 2/3Event Ambiance
'Strike up' can imply music is used to create an atmosphere for an event, like a party or ceremony.
To welcome the New Year, they struck up the band at midnight.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Expression
In some cultures, 'strike up' refers to traditional practices of starting music to invite dance or celebration.
At the festival, the musicians struck up a tune and everyone began to dance.
Pro Tip 1/3Music Initiation
Use 'strike up' to describe musicians starting to play, often spontaneously or to signal the beginning of an event.
As soon as guests arrived, the quartet struck up a classical piece.
Pro Tip 2/3Event Ambiance
'Strike up' can imply music is used to create an atmosphere for an event, like a party or ceremony.
To welcome the New Year, they struck up the band at midnight.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Expression
In some cultures, 'strike up' refers to traditional practices of starting music to invite dance or celebration.
At the festival, the musicians struck up a tune and everyone began to dance.
Pro Tip 1/3Music Initiation
Use 'strike up' to describe musicians starting to play, often spontaneously or to signal the beginning of an event.
As soon as guests arrived, the quartet struck up a classical piece.
Pro Tip 2/3Event Ambiance
'Strike up' can imply music is used to create an atmosphere for an event, like a party or ceremony.
To welcome the New Year, they struck up the band at midnight.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Expression
In some cultures, 'strike up' refers to traditional practices of starting music to invite dance or celebration.
At the festival, the musicians struck up a tune and everyone began to dance.
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