stroke of half-time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stroke of half-time" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context related to sports, particularly in discussing events that occur at the half-time mark of a game, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The team made a surprising comeback in the stroke of half-time, changing the momentum of the game."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the stroke of half-time, too.

The Guardian - Sport

On the stroke of half-time came Hamsik's goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Two up on the stroke of half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Spain eventually went ahead on the stroke of half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

And then the entire game changed on the stroke of half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Another Radradra try on the stroke of half-time kicked the lead out to 24-6.

The Guardian - Sport

The second, on the stroke of half-time, was given away.

The Guardian - Sport

Tyler was again called into action on the stroke of half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet briefly, on the stroke of half-time, they thought they had gone in front.

The Guardian - Sport

His side were at their seductive best only once, on the stroke of half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

A penalty on the stroke of half-time, though, pulled them back to within two scores.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stroke of half-time" when referring to an event that occurs almost exactly as the first half concludes. It adds a sense of drama and immediacy to sports reporting.

Common error

Avoid using "stroke of half-time" to describe events that occur several minutes before the actual end of the first half. This phrase is best reserved for actions right on the cusp of the break.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stroke of half-time" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by specifying when an action occurred. It pinpoints an event to the very end of the first half of a game. Ludwig examples show its use in describing goals, penalties, or significant plays.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stroke of half-time" is a common expression, particularly in sports reporting, used to denote an event occurring very close to the end of the first half. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered acceptable. It primarily functions as a temporal marker, adding a sense of immediacy. It is typically found in news and media contexts. When writing, reserve this phrase for events that happen almost exactly at the half-time mark to maintain accuracy and impact. Be mindful that while readily understood, it's more suited to informal or sports-focused writing than formal academic or business communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the half-time mark

This alternative specifies the exact moment of half-time.

in the dying seconds of the first half

This alternative emphasizes the very end of the first half.

just before the half-time whistle

This phrase highlights the auditory signal indicating the end of the first half.

on the verge of half-time

This indicates an event occurring very close to half-time.

as half-time approached

This describes an action as the half-time break neared.

in the final moments of the first period

This offers a more formal way of referring to the end of the first half.

late in the first half

This is a general way to describe events near the end of the first half.

at the end of the first 45 minutes

This specifies the duration of the first half.

in stoppage time of the first half

This refers to extra time added at the end of the first half.

in the shadow of half-time

This uses a more figurative expression to indicate close proximity to half-time.

FAQs

How can I use "stroke of half-time" in a sentence?

You can use "stroke of half-time" to describe events happening right at the end of the first half in sports, such as "The team scored a goal on the "stroke of half-time"".

What is an alternative to "stroke of half-time"?

Alternatives include "at the half-time mark", "just before the half-time whistle" or "in the dying seconds of the first half".

Is it appropriate to use "stroke of half-time" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "stroke of half-time" is most suitable for sports reporting and informal contexts. More formal writing might benefit from phrases like "at the end of the first half".

What does "stroke of half-time" imply about the event's timing?

"Stroke of half-time" suggests that the event occurred virtually simultaneously with the sounding of the whistle to signal the end of the first half. It emphasizes precision in timing.