strike down

If a court does this, it decides that a law or rule is not legally acceptable.

• The court struck down the ban.
• Judges have struck down several parts of the law.
• Will the court strike down this new rule?

How to use it: strike down a law/rule (The court struck down the rule as unconstitutional.)

Similar words: invalidate, overturn, nullify

Opposites: uphold

Common phrases: strike down something, strike something down

If an illness does this, it suddenly makes someone too ill to continue their normal activities.

• Flu struck her down.
• He was struck down with a fever last week.
• The virus has struck down several members of the team.

How to use it: be struck down by/with something (He was struck down with flu just before the trip.)

Similar words: lay low, incapacitate

Common phrases: strike down someone, strike someone down

To kill someone suddenly, often through violence or a powerful force.

• Lightning struck him down.
• The enemy struck down three soldiers before dawn.
• In the story, the gods strike down the cruel king.

How to use it: strike someone down (The warrior struck his enemy down with a sword.)

Similar words: kill, slay

Common phrases: strike down someone, strike someone down

To hit someone or something so that they fall to the ground.

• One blow struck him down.
• The fighter struck down his opponent with a kick.
• She struck the wooden target down with her staff.

How to use it: strike someone/something down (A powerful blow struck the guard down.)

Similar words: knock down, knock over

Common phrases: strike down someone, strike something down