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Phrasal verbs "strike up" vs "summon up"

Differences between strike up and summon up

Strike up means to start a conversation or a friendship with someone, while summon up means to gather courage or strength to do something.

Meanings and Definitions: strike up vs summon up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Strike up

  • 1Start ( conversation, relationship ).

    He STRUCK UP a conversation with me in the bar.

  • 2Start performing music.

    The band STRUCK UP and everyone turned to listen.

Summon up

  • 1Get the energy or courage to do something.

    Andrea couldn't SUMMON UP the enthusiasm to apply for the position.

Usage Examples: strike up, summon up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

strike up

Example

She struck up a conversation with the stranger at the party.

Example

He strikes up a conversation with his neighbor every morning.

summon up

Example

I need to summon up the courage to ask for a raise.

Example

She summons up the energy to go for a run every morning.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Strike up

start up

To begin or initiate something, such as a conversation or a business.

Example

He decided to start up a conversation with his new neighbor to get to know her better.

make friends with

To become friends with someone.

Example

She was able to make friends with her coworkers by joining them for lunch every day.

break the ice

To initiate a conversation or interaction in a situation where people are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with each other.

Example

He tried to break the ice by telling a joke and making everyone laugh.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Summon up

gather one's courage

To prepare oneself mentally or emotionally to face a difficult or challenging situation.

Example

She had to gather her courage before giving a presentation in front of a large audience.

steel oneself

To mentally prepare oneself to face a difficult or challenging situation.

Example

He had to steel himself before asking his boss for a raise.

brace oneself

To prepare oneself mentally or physically for something unpleasant or difficult.

Example

She had to brace herself for the cold weather before going outside.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in strike up vs summon up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: strike up or summon up?

In daily conversation, people use strike up more often than summon up. This is because strike up is used for social interactions and making new connections, which is a common occurrence in daily life. On the other hand, summon up is used less frequently, as it refers to a specific situation where one needs to gather courage or strength.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of strike up and summon up

Strike up and summon up are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday conversations. However, summon up can be used in more formal settings such as business or academic contexts when discussing the need for courage or strength.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of strike up and summon up

The tone of strike up and summon up can differ based on context. Strike up often carries a friendly and outgoing tone when referring to starting a conversation or friendship, while summon up typically has a serious and determined tone, especially when referring to gathering courage or strength.

strike up & summon up: Synonyms and Antonyms

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