TOUCH OFF Meaning and
Definition
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The phrasal verb "touch off" has multiple meanings, depending on the context in which it is used.
1. To start or initiate an event or series of actions that may have important or significant consequences. It usually implies that the event or action has been triggered unexpectedly or unintentionally. For example, "His careless words touched off a heated argument among the group."
2. To cause a strong emotional or reactive response in someone. It often implies that the reaction is sudden, intense, or extreme. For instance, "The news of the political scandal touched off widespread public outrage."
3. To ignite or set fire to something, particularly of flammable or explosive nature. This meaning suggests the act of starting a fire or explosion. For example, "The faulty wiring in the kitchen touched off a fire that quickly spread throughout the building."
4. In a literal sense, it refers to physically making contact or coming into contact with something or someone. It can also be associated with activating or causing some response or action through physical touch. For instance, "Her touch off the switch turned on the lights."
Overall, "touch off" signifies the act of initiating or starting something, whether it be a chain of events, an emotional reaction, a fire or explosion, or a physical activation through touch.
Common Misspellings for TOUCH OFF
- rouch off
- fouch off
- gouch off
- youch off
- 6ouch off
- 5ouch off
- tiuch off
- tkuch off
- tluch off
- tpuch off
- t0uch off
- t9uch off
- toych off
- tohch off
- tojch off
- toich off
- to8ch off
- to7ch off
- touxh off
- touchoff
Etymology of TOUCH OFF
The term "touch off" originated in the late 19th century and is derived from the combination of two separate words: "touch" and "off".
The verb "touch" can be traced back to the Old French word "touchier", which means "to touch or handle". It eventually made its way into Middle English as "touchen". The word retained its general sense of physical contact and expanded to include emotional or metaphorical connections as well.
The term "off" is derived from the Old English word "of", which has a fundamental sense of separation or departure. It can also convey the idea of putting something in motion or causing an action.
When combined, "touch off" originally referred to initiating or causing something, often with a negative or explosive connotation. It carries the idea of setting events in motion, igniting circumstances, or provoking a reaction.
Idioms with the word TOUCH OFF
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touch off sth
The idiom "touch off something" means to cause or initiate something, typically a series of events, actions, or reactions. It suggests that a single incident or trigger sets in motion a larger chain of consequences or reactions.
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touch off
To touch off means to initiate, provoke, or set off a series of events or actions. It can also mean to ignite or detonate something.
Similar spelling words for TOUCH OFF
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