Idiom
take by storm
Meaning
To seize, overpower, or captivate in a sudden and forceful manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“The new band took the city by storm last night.”
“This simple puzzle game takes the internet by storm every few years.”
“Her debut novel took the literary world by storm, selling millions of copies in just a few months.”
“The new food delivery app is taking the suburbs by storm because it offers much faster service than any of its competitors.”
“After the designer released her first collection of recycled clothing, her unique style took the fashion industry by storm.”
“The charismatic young politician took the national stage by storm, captivating voters with a bold vision that challenged the established political order.”
Examples
simple
“The new band took the city by storm last night.”
“This simple puzzle game takes the internet by storm every few years.”
contextual
“Her debut novel took the literary world by storm, selling millions of copies in just a few months.”
“The new food delivery app is taking the suburbs by storm because it offers much faster service than any of its competitors.”
“After the designer released her first collection of recycled clothing, her unique style took the fashion industry by storm.”
complex
“The charismatic young politician took the national stage by storm, captivating voters with a bold vision that challenged the established political order.”
Origin
Likely an adaptation of the military tactic of capturing a fortified position with a single, sudden, and overwhelming charge. The phrase has been established in English since at least the late 17th century, though it shares a conceptual lineage with the later German *blitzkrieg*. It describes a victory achieved through speed and force rather than the slow inconvenience of a siege.
Key words
Related idioms
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