on strike

Idioms

Engaged in a work stoppage, as in The auto workers were on strike for the entire summer. The use of strike for a concerted labor stoppage undertaken to gain concessions from employers dates from the early 1800s. Today it is also used more loosely, as in Where washing dishes is concerned, Mom has announced that she's on strike. Also see go out, def. 4.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In fact, it was at the other end of the pitch where Newcastle had issues at the start of the campaign as they began life without Alexander Isak, who went on strike in an effort to force through a £125m move to Liverpool.

From BBC

From the non-striker's end he watched two wickets, failed to get on strike, then drilled the first ball of Madushanka's final over into the hands of cover.

From BBC

It is the issue that prompted players to go on strike in 1994, leading to the cancellation of the World Series.

From The Wall Street Journal

Newcastle sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British record £125m fee last summer - after the Swede went on strike - and Howe was asked how he could avoid a repeat of a similar saga.

From BBC

The Writers Guild of America West is warning that it may cancel its award show, as its own staff union enters a second week on strike.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023