strike up

verb

struck up; struck up also stricken up; striking up; strikes up

intransitive verb

: to begin to sing or play or to be sung or played

transitive verb

1

: to cause to begin singing or playing

strike up the band

2

: to cause to begin

strike up a conversation

Examples of strike up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One day, April Lienhard bumped into local La Jolla Bike Path volunteer Debbie Adams and the two struck up a conversation. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

The two strike up a somewhat unconventional romance after meeting on Christmas in Colin’s local pub wherein their first date involves a back-alley blowjob and little conversation. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026

Much to the happiness of their mutually beloved John, the two eventually clear the air between them and strike up a friendship. —Arushi Jacob, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026

Holliday struck up a conversation with the man in line next to him. —Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for strike up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

strike up

verb

1

: to begin or cause to begin to sing or play

strike up the band

2

: to cause to begin

strike up a conversation