Definition of strike down

The origin of the word "strike down" can be traced back to the Middle English period, around the 14th century. The term originally meant to knock something down or strike it with a forceful blow, especially using a weapon. This meaning is evident in its Old English predecessor "strican," which meant "to strike" or "beat." When referring to people, "strike down" initially conveyed physical violence, as seen in the sense that "God smote down the Egyptians with ten plagues" in the Bible. In the 16th century, "strike down" acquired a figurative sense, used to indicate removing or dismissing someone or something forcibly, especially in the context of law or authority. This sense is still commonly used today, such as "the court struck down the law" or "the union struck down the proposed wage cut." The literal meaning of "strike down" is still in usage in various contexts, such as "the player struck down the opponent with a powerful shot" or "a thunderbolt struck down the tree." However, over time, the phrase "strike down" has evolved to convey a far more significant and decisive force of action in its metaphorical context. In general, it is now often used to indicate the defeat or overthrow of anything, especially in the context of authority or justice.