From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstrike out phrasal verb1 to attack or criticize someone suddenly or violently at Unhappy young people will often strike out at the people closest to them.2 strike something ↔ outLINE to draw a line through something written on a piece of paper3 [always + adverb/preposition]GO to start walking or swimming in a particular direction, especially in a determined way She struck out for the side of the pool.4 strike out on your ownSTART DOING somethingINDEPENDENT PERSON to start doing something or living independently5 DSBto not hit the ball in baseball three times, so that you are not allowed to continue trying, or to make someone do thisstrike somebody ↔ out He struck out the first batter he faced. → strikeout6 American English informalFAIL to not be successful at something ‘Did she say she’d go out with you?’ ‘No, I struck out.’7 strike something ↔ out law to say officially that something cannot be considered as proof in a court of law → strike→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
strike at• It was not fair to take things out on Minnie - but then, who else was there to strike out at?• Furious now in his terror and at Rohmer's unconcern, Gilbert had struck out at him.• They were only striking out at horrible parents and protecting themselves.• Her arms stiffen, and little fists strike out at me.• The least thing upsets her and she frequently strikes out at me.• Then when they strike out at one another, they keep their claws sheathed.• He struck out at the air blindly.• Depressed men often strike out at their wives and children.• He struck out at them and soared upwards and they fell away for a time.strike out on your own• And I was beginning to feel I wanted to strike out on my own.• But she was right: it is time for him to strike out on his own.• Or should I throw off all restraints and strike out on my own?• So why not strike out on your own?• The time was finally ripe, they decided, to strike out on their own.• It feels great to strike out on your own and find a job and a place to live.• I found that I could quickly discard the handbook in favour of striking out on my own and was quite satisfied with the results.• After problems in obtaining components, Comart struck out on its own, producing its Comart Communicator, a small business computer.• Glover was afraid Paul was going to strike out on his own with that suitcase, with that hat on his head.From Longman Business Dictionarystrike out phrasal verb strike out on your own to start doing something new, without other people’s helpHe left the family business and struck out on his own. → strike→ See Verb table 