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Synonyms

sit-down strike

American  

noun

  1. a strike during which workers occupy their place of employment and refuse to work or allow others to work until the strike is settled.


sit-down strike British  

noun

  1. a strike in which workers refuse to leave their place of employment until a settlement is reached

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sit-down strike

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

When the elevator breaks down yet again and Isaac can’t get to an exam on the upper floor, the whole school stages a sit-down strike in his support.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2023

The narrative really took on a life of its own when a New Yorker article in 1976 referred to "a sort of sit-down strike one day about half-way through the mission".

From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2021

For 44 days in 1936-37, workers held a sit-down strike inside General Motors’ massive Flint, Mich., Fisher Body plant.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 5, 2021

It would be like the Flint sit-down strike.

From Salon ● Mar. 9, 2014

Before a club game kickoff, several dozen protesters staged a sit-down strike on the 50-yard line.

From New York Times ● Sep. 17, 2011

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