Phrase guide

strike a light

intj · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

intj

Meaning 1

Expressing surprise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, dated, informal

Examples

  • Cor, strike a light! Did you see him jump into the river?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To create a flame (using a match, flint, etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • 1681, Nahum Tate, The History of King Lear, London: E. Flesher, Act 3, p. 36, Look I have Flint and Steel, the Implements Of wandring Lunaticks, I’ll strike a Light, And make a Fire beneath this Shed, to dry Thy Storm-drencht Garments, e’re thou Lie to rest thee;
  • 1820, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe, Edinburgh: Archibald Constable, 3rd edition, 1821, Volume 2, Chapter 8, pp. 129-130, While the one struck a light with a flint and steel, the other disposed the charcoal in the large rusty grate which we have already mentioned, and exercised the bellows until the fuel came to a red glow.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.