touch off

déclencher, provoquer

Faire commencer quelque chose, surtout un problème qui risque de s'aggraver vite.

En anglais simple : To cause something to start, especially trouble that may quickly become worse.

• His joke touched off an argument.
• The arrests touched off protests across the city.
• Could this decision touch off another crisis?

Comment l'utiliser : touch off something (The announcement touched off a heated debate.)

Synonymes : trigger, spark, set off

Expressions courantes : touch off protests, touch off an argument, touch something off

allumer, déclencher un incendie

Faire démarrer un feu ou provoquer un incendie.

En anglais simple : To make a fire start.

• A spark touched off the fire.
• The hot engine touched off a grass fire.
• One match can touch off a forest fire.

Comment l'utiliser : touch off something (A faulty wire touched off a fire.)

Synonymes : ignite, start, set off

Contraires : extinguish

Expressions courantes : touch off a fire, touch off forest fires

faire la prise d'origine par contact

Régler la position de départ d'un outil en le faisant toucher doucement la matière ou une surface de la machine.

En anglais simple : To set a machine tool's starting position by bringing it gently against the material or machine surface.

• Touch off the tool before cutting.
• She touched off on the metal block.
• Have you touched off the cutter on the machine bed?

Comment l'utiliser : touch off on something (Touch off on the top surface before cutting.)

Synonymes : set the tool datum

Expressions courantes : touch off the tool, touch off on something