stroke (redirected from at one stroke)

a stroke of luck

Fig. a bit of luck; a lucky happening. I had a stroke of luck and found Tom at home when I called. He's not usually there. Unless I have a stroke of luck, I'm not going to finish this report by tomorrow.

See also: luck

arrive (somewhere) (up)on the stroke of some time and arrive (somewhere) at the stroke of some time

to reach a place at a particular instant of time.(Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) She arrived home on the stroke of midnight. We all arrived at the stroke of two.

See also: arrive, some, time

arrive (somewhere) (up)on the stroke of some time and arrive (somewhere) at the stroke of some time

to reach a place at a particular instant of time. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) She arrived home on the stroke of midnight. We all arrived at the stroke of two.

See also: arrive, some, time

arrive (somewhere) (up)on the stroke of some time and arrive (somewhere) at the stroke of some time

to reach a place at a particular instant of time. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) She arrived home on the stroke of midnight. We all arrived at the stroke of two.

See also: arrive, some, time

Different strokes for different folks.

Prov. Different people like different things.; Different people live in different ways. My neighbor spends all his free time working in his garden. I would never want to do that, but different strokes for different folks.

See also: different, folk

have a stroke

to experience sudden unconsciousness or paralysis due to an interruption in the blood supply to the brain. (Also used as an exaggeration. See the last example.) The patient who received an artificial heart had a stroke two days after the operation. My great-uncle Bill—who is very old—had a stroke last May. Calm down, Bob. Don't have a stroke over a silly mistake.

See also: have

Little strokes fell great oaks.

Prov. You can complete a large, intimidating task by steadily doing small parts of it. Jill: How can I possibly write a fifty-page report in two months? Jane: Just write a little bit every day. Little strokes fell great oaks.

See also: fell, great, little, oak

stroke someone's ego

Fig. to flatter and praise someone. If you have trouble with him, just take a few minutes and stroke his ego. You'll soon have him eating out of your hand.

See also: ego

stroke of genius

an act of genius; a very clever and innovative idea or task. Your idea of painting the rock wall red was a stroke of genius.

See also: genius

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(It's) different strokes for different folks.  (mainly American)

something that you say which means that different people like or need different things I've never enjoyed winter sports, but different strokes for different folks.

See a whole new ball game, be chalk and cheese, march to a different drummer, be another different kettle of fish

See also: different, folk

a stroke of luck

something good that happens to you by chance Phil was driving up to Manchester that evening and gave me a lift so that was a stroke of luck. By a stroke of luck, someone at work happened to be selling very cheaply exactly the piece of equipment that I needed.

See put off stride

See also: luck

broad (brush) strokes

if you describe a situation with broad strokes, you describe it in a very general way without giving any details The novel's historical background is filled in with broad brush strokes. In a few broad strokes he summed up his beliefs.

See also: broad

put somebody off their stride  (British, American & Australian) also put somebody off their stroke (British & Australian)

to take someone's attention away from what they are doing so they are not able to do it well She was making funny faces at me, trying to put me off my stroke. When I'm playing chess, the slightest noise can put me off my stride.

See also: put, stride

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a stroke of luck also a stroke of fortune

something good that happens to you when you do not expect it To walk in and get a job like that was an incredible stroke of luck.

See also: luck

different strokes (for different folks)

different things are done or liked by different people The man walks backward for exercise. Different strokes for different folks!

See also: different

in broad strokes also with broad strokes

in a general way, without giving details Mostly, he talked in broad strokes about how his faith supports him every day.

Etymology: based on the idea of painting with broad strokes (wide marks made with a wide brush)

See also: broad

in one stroke also at one stroke

immediately In one stroke, farmers will go from $100,000 in revenues to nothing.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the forms at a (single) stroke or in a stroke: Rejecting the treaty would undo years of effort in a stroke.

See also: one