strike sail

strike sail

1. To lower the sail on a ship in a show of surrender, salute, or during high winds. Captain, they've struck sail! We've won! Those are gale force winds. Strike sail or we're done for!
2. By extension, to admit that one has been bested. You need to strike sail. You've clearly been beaten and need to move on.
See also: sail, strike
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • sail
  • under sail
  • crowd (on) sail
  • crowd sail
  • crowded
  • set sail for some place
  • sail for (some place)
  • sail for some place
  • swathe
  • cut a swathe through
References in classic literature
The silent heart encourages her; O friend, never strike sail to a fear!
But, as good seldom or never comes pure and unmixed, without being attended or followed by some disturbing evil that gives a shock to it, our fortune, or perhaps the curses which the Moor had hurled at his daughter (for whatever kind of father they may come from these are always to be dreaded), brought it about that when we were now in mid-sea, and the night about three hours spent, as we were running with all sail set and oars lashed, for the favouring breeze saved us the trouble of using them, we saw by the light of the moon, which shone brilliantly, a square-rigged vessel in full sail close to us, luffing up and standing across our course, and so close that we had to strike sail to avoid running foul of her, while they too put the helm hard up to let us pass.
Foster had the luxury of watching the Gabon international's strike sail harmlessly over.
However, a piece of individual brilliance from Jimmy Swinden saw his sweet strike sail into the top corner giving the Dragons a two goal cushion and they were able to grab a fourth towards the end with a good finish from Richardson.
'Why me?' 'Because,' said Cromwell through gritted teeth, 'you are named by virtue of the warrant to draw up an order for the executioner.' Colonel Axtell, who was waiting to take this authority to the masked men, upbraided Hunks: 'The ship is coining into harbour--will you strike sail before we come to anchor?' Cromwell himself wrote out the executioner's warrant, muttering that Hunks was a 'peevish fellow'.
Inaki Munoz saw a long-range strike sail two yards over and Garcia headed over after his run into the box went unchecked.
The Stags still had a chance to nick it, but defender Aidie Moses saw his long-range strike sail high and wide.
The Stags still had one last chance to nick it, but defender Aidie Moses saw his long-range strike sail high and wide.
Sharp went for his hat-trick, only to see a late strike sail wide but it did not matter for the hosts, who will join English football's second tier for the first time since 1964.
The raiding wide man forced a good stop from Cullen who was otherwise a spectator and Stephen Shaw was unlucky to see his sweet strike sail harmlessly over.
SPANISH HIGHS: Ramon; Pereira watches his stunning strike sail into the net; ROYAL WYNESS: Hearts hitman Dennis wins the fans' seal of approval as he nods the ball past Derek Stillie
Tavernier should have wrapped up the points as Ryan Jack cut in from the right to tee up the skipper but his strike sailed over the bar - sparking a huge groan from the jittery home support.
But there was a major reprieve when Jonny Sexton's 40-metre strike sailed wide.
This was followed up by Chuks Aneke also misfiring, though the wastefulness on show by Tisdale's men was matched by Rovers as Jennings' strike sailed over the bar.