striking a stroke

Verb

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

1. (archaic) To hit (especially with a sword); to successfully land a hit.
   • […] it is reported, and credibly beleeued, that hee did much more good with his words, and presence, without striking a stroke, then a great part of the Armie did with fighting to the vtmost.1625, Samuel Purchas, Purchas His Pilgrimes, London: Henry Fetherstone, Part 4, “Voyages to and about the Southerne America,” Chapter 5, section 4, pp. 1395-1396
2. (archaic, figuratively) To do something to support or defend (for) or to hinder or harm (at / against) something or someone.
   • You all consented unto Salisbury’s death,
     For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...