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Touch Off

What Does "Touch Off" Mean?

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"Touch off" is an English idiom. It means "to trigger or initiate a series of events or reactions, often unintentionally."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "touch off" used in a sentence:
  • His comments about the company's financial troubles touched off a wave of panic among the employees.
  • The controversial decision to raise taxes touched off a heated debate in the parliament.
  • The unexpected announcement of the new product launch touched off excitement and anticipation among consumers.
meaning for touch off

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Touch Off" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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