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touch off. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
touch off, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
touch off in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
touch off you have here. The definition of the word
touch off will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
touch off, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Verb
touch off (third-person singular simple present touches off, present participle touching off, simple past and past participle touched off)
- (transitive, idiomatic) To start (something); to set off traps; especially used for unstable situations that may magnify if disturbed.
Be cautious talking about religion or politics, lest you touch off an argument.
- (transitive, idiomatic) To cause a fire to start.
A spark touched off the conflagration.
- (machining) To establish a reference coordinate or datum, by moving the tool head to just touch the workpiece or machine bed.
A traditional method of touching off uses a piece of thin paper placed between the tool and workpiece.
Translations
to cause, especially used for unstable situations that may magnify if disturbed