strike a light

Verb

strike a light (third-person singular simple present strikes a light, present participle striking a light, simple past struck a light, past participle struck a light or (rare or archaic) stricken a light)

1. (idiomatic) To create a flame (using a match, flint, etc.).
   • Look I have Flint and Steel, the Implements
     Of wandring Lunaticks, I’ll strike a Light,
     And make a Fire beneath this Shed, to dry
     Thy Storm-drencht Garments, e’re thou Lie to rest thee;1681, Nahum Tate, The History of King Lear, London: E. Flesher, Act 3, p. 36
   • I must quit my subject, though much against my will, for hark, the bell sounds, my candle is burnt out, and I have not so much as a flint to strike a light, so I must go to bed, and there dream or meditate till to-morrow.1760, Laurence Sterne, “Meditation on Tobacco”, in Yorick’s Meditations, London: R. Stevens, page 22

Interjection

1. (UK, dated, informal) Expressing surprise.
   • Cor, strike a light! Did you see him jump into the river?