touch off
The idiom "touch off" often implies initiating an event or reaction, typically with significant impact.
Definition
B2General
(common)To cause something to begin, especially something intense or violent.
Example
- Her speech touched off a heated debate.
- The scandal touched off a series of protests.
B2Fire and Explosions
(technical)To ignite or cause a fire or explosion.
Example
- The faulty wiring touched off a blaze.
- The spark touched off the fireworks.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "touch off":
tap offtouch onhit offgo offclick offdo offfinish offfire offshoot offsign offhook offset offcheck offtouch downplay offturn offswitch offtake offkick offwire offpush offtop offhead offtie offstrike offflick offtee offstep offclear offgo off at scorewalk offget offshut offlook offtip outbox offtoss offpull offsqueeze offsend offend offtouch basegun offbang offcross offmake offkiss offcharge offoff timecall offsee offclock outblow offtouch and gonick offhop offmark offscore offdrive offball offcome offbreak offstart offdash offlet offwipe offtag outleave offcrack offboom offjet offrack offfire outjump offride offknock it offstop offfob offlong offbear offcap offbrush offthrow offpass offstop outknock offback offround offtouch upsending offroll offtick offburn offpeed offfly offrub offhand offbounce offsound offpop offface offtap outoff the tracktell offtoddle offpick offlight offdraw off