Strike up is a natural, conversational idiom, and most mistakes with it come from forcing it into contexts that need more formality — or missing a small grammatical requirement.
Mistake 1: Using it for formal processes
Strike up describes something spontaneous — a conversation, a relationship, a connection. It doesn't fit a defined, formal process.
Less precise:
"We struck up the vendor audit after procurement flagged the invoice discrepancy."
Better:
"We initiated the vendor audit after procurement flagged the invoice discrepancy."
A review has a formal start point assigned by someone. That's initiate or begin, not strike up.
Mistake 2: Using it in writing that needs a formal tone
Strike up is natural in spoken English and casual updates, but it can undercut a polished, executive-facing document.
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"In the board deck, the timeline slide said we struck up the co-marketing agreement in Q2."
More formal:
"In the board deck, the timeline slide said the co-marketing agreement began in Q2."
In an executive summary or a formal report, developed, began building, or established usually fits better than struck up, even though the underlying meaning is the same.
Mistake 3: Dropping the object
Strike up almost always needs an object — a conversation, a relationship, a rapport. Leaving it out sounds incomplete.
Less natural:
"I struck up with someone from the vendor team in the elevator."
Better:
"I struck up a conversation with someone from the vendor team in the elevator."
The pattern is strike up a [conversation/relationship/rapport] with someone, not strike up with someone.
Quick check before you use it
Ask: did this begin naturally, in a social or informal moment, and does the sentence still have an object (a conversation, a relationship)? If the start was formal and assigned, or the object is missing, adjust before using strike up.
For the full meaning and examples, see what does strike up mean at work.
Lyra Practice helps advanced non-native English professionals learn the nuance of high-value workplace expressions and practice using them in realistic scenarios, so their English sounds natural, precise, and senior at work. Try Lyra Practice.