strike sail
Originating from maritime practices, "strike sail" has both literal and figurative meanings related to submission and acknowledgment of defeat.
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Definition
C1Maritime
(archaic, technical)To lower the sails, often to signal submission, respect, or in response to strong winds.
Example
- The captain ordered the crew to strike sail as they approached the harbor.
- In a sudden storm, the sailors had to strike sail to prevent damage.
C2Figurative
(obsolete, idiom)To admit defeat or acknowledge one's inferiority.
Example
- After a long debate, he had to strike sail and concede to his opponent's arguments.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "strike sail":
make sailunder sailstrike one's flagstrike worktrim one's sailsstrike instrike offsailing vesselstrike a strokestrike the tenton strikestrike outsail signstrike upstrike a blowheave tostrike a leadbear offclear the decksship outchange tack