waiting to be struck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting to be struck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is poised for action or about to be impacted, often metaphorically or literally. Example: "The clock ticked ominously, waiting to be struck as the hour approached midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"That's waiting to be struck by lightning".

The New York Times

A golfer, though, has only to hit a ball just sitting there waiting to be struck.

The New York Times - Sports

There's a bargain waiting to be struck, if Leveson and the government are bold enough.

The Guardian

"Maybe it was just kindling waiting to be struck," Valentine said.

The New York Times - Sports

One is hostile, another repressed; there are also a rocker and a born-again Christian, flints waiting to be struck to start a fire.

The New York Times

They had been desperately blunt before going behind; Olivier Giroud wasting the best chance, stabbing tamely with the outside of his left boot at a ball that was waiting to be struck firmly beyond Adrian.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Joe, reading the letter about Mary Claude's death in his mother's yard, waits to be struck.

The New Yorker

The United States waited to be hit before striking back, and American casualties were to be avoided at all costs.

The New York Times

If that were so, it would not materially differ from the long-held rule that people threatened with attack need not wait to be hit before striking out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Norris, who worked at Anytime Fitness, had fallen off an inner tube and was waiting to be picked up when another boat struck him in an apparent hit-and-run.

Los Angeles Times

New strike signs were stacked in a meeting room, waiting to be stapled to wooden staffs, while strike T-shirts in boxes marked "women" and "men" were stacked tall in another room.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting to be struck" to create a sense of dramatic anticipation or to highlight the vulnerability of a subject to external forces.

Common error

Avoid excessive passive voice constructions. While "waiting to be struck" is valid, ensure it doesn't lead to convoluted sentences. Sometimes, an active voice construction can provide more clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting to be struck" functions as a verb phrase that describes a state of anticipation and passivity. It indicates that something or someone is in a condition of readiness to receive an impact, whether literal or metaphorical. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waiting to be struck" effectively conveys a sense of anticipation, vulnerability, or readiness for an impending event. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not overly common, its primary usage is within news and media contexts, and it's suitable for neutral register. Related phrases such as "poised for action" or "on the verge of impact" offer alternatives depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. When using this phrase, it’s best to avoid overuse and ensure it doesn't result in awkward passive voice constructions. Overall, "waiting to be struck" is a valid and evocative phrase for expressing a state of potential or vulnerability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poised for action

Focuses on readiness and potential for immediate activity; less about vulnerability.

on the verge of impact

Emphasizes the imminence of a collision or significant event.

about to be triggered

Suggests an impending event or reaction, often linked to a specific cause.

ready to be activated

Implies a dormant state transitioning into an active one, waiting for a trigger.

vulnerable to attack

Specifically highlights the potential for being harmed or targeted.

ripe for exploitation

Highlights vulnerability and the potential for being taken advantage of.

on tenterhooks

Suggests a state of suspense and anxiety, awaiting an uncertain outcome.

susceptible to influence

Focuses on vulnerability to external pressures or forces.

in a precarious position

Highlights a situation of instability and potential danger.

at the mercy of fate

Emphasizes a lack of control and reliance on external circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "waiting to be struck" in a sentence?

You can use "waiting to be struck" to describe a situation or object that is in a state of anticipation or vulnerability, such as "The dry forest was like kindling, waiting to be struck by a single spark."

What does it mean to say something is "waiting to be struck"?

It means something is in a passive state, vulnerable and anticipating an external force or event that will impact or activate it. This could be literal, like an object ready to be hit, or metaphorical, like a situation on the verge of change.

Which is more appropriate, "waiting to be struck" or "ready to be activated"?

The best choice depends on the context. "Waiting to be struck" suggests a more passive and potentially vulnerable state, while "ready to be activated" implies a prepared state awaiting a trigger.

What are some situations where "waiting to be struck" might be a fitting phrase?

"Waiting to be struck" is useful in describing a vulnerable object in sports (a golf ball waiting to be hit), a tense political situation on the verge of conflict, or a person in a difficult situation like a hurt dog waiting to be struck again.