Plans for a new homeless shelter touched off a storm of protest.
Windblown wires touched off the blaze.
There was a dramatic fall in stock prices, and no one is sure what touched it off.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
touch off — (something) to cause something violent or destructive to start. Plans for a new homeless shelter touched off a storm of protest. Windblown wires touched off the blaze. There was a dramatic fall in stock prices, and no one is sure what touched it… … New idioms dictionary
touch off — verb put in motion or move to act (Freq. 3) trigger a reaction actuate the circuits • Syn: ↑trip, ↑actuate, ↑trigger, ↑activate, ↑set off, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
touch-off — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun ( s) Etymology: touch off : something that is touched off; specifically : a fire of incendiary origin … Useful english dictionary
touch off — ► touch off 1) cause (something) to ignite or explode by touching it with a match. 2) cause to happen suddenly. Main Entry: ↑touch … English terms dictionary
touch off — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms touch off : present tense I/you/we/they touch off he/she/it touches off present participle touching off past tense touched off past participle touched off to make something unpleasant or dangerous happen The… … English dictionary
touch off — PHRASAL VERB If something touches off a situation or series of events, it causes it to start happening. [V P n (not pron)] Is the massacre likely to touch off a new round of violence? [Also V n P] … English dictionary
touch off — {v.} 1. To cause to fire or explode by lighting the priming or the fuse. * /The boy touched off a firecracker./ Compare: SET OFF. 2. To start something as if by lighting a fuse. * /The coach s resignation touched off a quarrel./ Compare: SET OFF … Dictionary of American idioms
touch off — {v.} 1. To cause to fire or explode by lighting the priming or the fuse. * /The boy touched off a firecracker./ Compare: SET OFF. 2. To start something as if by lighting a fuse. * /The coach s resignation touched off a quarrel./ Compare: SET OFF … Dictionary of American idioms
touch\ off — v 1. To cause to fire or explode by lighting the priming or the fuse. The boy touched off a firecracker. Compare: set off 2. To start something as if by lighting a fuse. The coach s resignation touched off a quarrel. Compare: set off … Словарь американских идиом
touch off — 1) cause to fire or explode by lighting the fuse The fire at the oil refinery touched off an explosion that destroyed many tanks. 2) start something The arrest of the labor leader touched off a riot among the citizens … Idioms and examples
