# strike up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/strike-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To start something with somebody else, such as a conversation or relationship.

## Examples

- It is easy to strike up a conversation with strangers.
- She sat next to him on the train and managed to strike up a friendly conversation about the weather.
- Despite his natural shyness, he found the courage to strike up a lasting friendship with the traveler he met during his long journey across the continent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.