strip on

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To strip something and place or apply it on a surface, often in thin layers.

   Grammar: Usually written as two words, with an object after 'on': strip the old paint on the door.

   Patterns

   • strip something on something
   • strip on something

   Workers stripped the old wallpaper on the hallway wall before painting.

   She stripped the varnish on the table and applied a fresh coat.

   They stripped the damaged shingles on the roof and nailed down new ones.

2. 2nouncountable

   A small piece of material that you press onto a surface so it sticks.

   Grammar: Often used before another noun, as in a strip-on label or strip-on nail.

   Patterns

   • a strip-on label
   • strip-on nails

   The package came with a strip-on label you can peel and stick.

   She bought strip-on nails for the party instead of going to a salon.

   The electrician used a strip-on connector to join the wires quickly.

Common combinations

strip on the wall

They stripped the old paper on the wall before repainting.

strip on the door

He stripped the paint on the door with a heat gun.

strip-on label

The jar had a strip-on label that peeled off easily.

strip-on nail

Strip-on nails are cheaper than acrylic ones.

Synonyms and how they differ

apply

Use 'apply' when you put a substance or layer onto a surface; 'strip on' is much less common and usually means removing something first.

peel and stick

This describes a self-adhesive product, similar to the noun 'strip-on'.

Opposites

Word family

strip verb

To remove a covering or layer from something.

stripper noun

A tool or substance used to remove paint or varnish.

Commonly confused: strip on or strip off? strip on or strap on?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “strip on”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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