go on strike

USAGE SUMMARY

'go on strike' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that a group of people are refusing to work in order to protest something or get demands met. For example, "The teachers decided to go on strike until the school board agrees to their demands for better pay and equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The long working week has been one of the grievances prompting teachers to go on strike.

BBC

"Let's go on strike".

The Guardian

Driverless trains cannot go on strike.

The Economist

(Yes, apparently they can go on strike).

The New York Times - Arts

Should you go on strike?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The workers go on strike.

The New Yorker

"Our job isn't to go on strike".

The New York Times

Then the bus drivers go on strike.

The New York Times - Books

Should junior doctors go on strike?

The Guardian

Consumers seemed to go on strike.

The New York Times

"I want to invite the French to go on strike.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go on strike" when you want to clearly communicate a collective refusal to work as a form of protest or to achieve specific demands. Ensure the context clarifies who is striking and what their goals are for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "go on strike" when referring to individual actions. This phrase inherently implies a collective action. For individual protests, consider phrases like "refuse to work" or "walk out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go on strike" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a collective action taken by workers to protest against unfavorable conditions or demands. Ludwig AI identifies its prevalent use in describing labor disputes and collective bargaining.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go on strike" is a commonly used verbal phrase that describes a collective work stoppage as a form of protest. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a group action rather than an individual protest. Alternatives such as "commence a strike" or "begin industrial action" may offer a more formal tone, depending on the writing's purpose. Considering its prevalence and clarity, "go on strike" remains a straightforward and effective way to communicate this specific form of labor action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commence a strike

Replaces "go on" with "commence", implying a formal beginning to the strike.

initiate a walkout

Substitutes "strike" with "walkout" and "go on" with "initiate", emphasizing the act of leaving work.

begin industrial action

Replaces "strike" with the more formal "industrial action", indicating a broader labor dispute.

stage a work stoppage

Uses "work stoppage" instead of "strike", highlighting the cessation of work.

down tools

An idiomatic alternative meaning to stop working in protest.

take industrial action

Similar to "begin industrial action", but uses "take" instead of "begin".

cease labor

A more formal way of saying stopping work.

refuse to work

Directly states the action of not working, removing the specific term "strike".

withdraw labor

Emphasizes the act of taking away labor as a form of protest.

boycott labor

While "boycott" often refers to products or services, it can also apply to labor, indicating a refusal to participate.

FAQs

How do I properly use "go on strike" in a sentence?

Use "go on strike" to describe a group's decision to stop working as a form of protest. For example, "The workers decided to "go on strike" for better wages and working conditions."

What are some alternatives to saying "go on strike"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stage a walkout", "begin industrial action", or "down tools".

Is it appropriate to use "go on strike" in formal writing?

Yes, "go on strike" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports, academic papers, and business communications. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "initiate a work stoppage" for an even more professional tone.

What's the difference between ""go on strike"" and "protest"?

"Go on strike" specifically refers to the act of stopping work to protest, while "protest" is a broader term that can include various forms of expressing disagreement or opposition, such as demonstrations, petitions, and boycotts.