strike a medium

present singular third person strikes a medium · participle present striking a medium · past struck a medium · participle past struck a medium · archaic participle past rare stricken a medium

1. To choose or provide a moderate option between two extremes.

   The telephone, as a conveyor of unwelcome messages, strikes a medium between the letter by mail and the face-to-face interview.

   1919, Henry Blake Fuller, chapter 14, in Bertram Cope’s Year, Chicago: R.F. Seymour, page 139

   2 more examples

   […] in references, where the consent of the parties leave the referees entire masters of the subject, they commonly discover so much equity and justice on both sides, as induces them to strike a medium, and divide the difference betwixt the parties.

   1740, David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature, London: John Noon, Volume 3, Part 2, Section 6, p. 127

   We must compromise as to the heating of the tent. He would keep it hot, I cold, and either’s comfort is the other’s pneumonia. We strike a medium, and he shivers outside his bag, while I swelter in mine;

   1969, Ursula K. Le Guin, chapter 16, in The Left Hand of Darkness, New York: Ace, published 2019

   Synonyms: strike a balance