touch off

scatenare, innescare

Far iniziare qualcosa, soprattutto problemi che possono peggiorare rapidamente.

In inglese semplice: 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?

Come si usa: touch off something (The announcement touched off a heated debate.)

Sinonimi: trigger, spark, set off

Espressioni comuni: touch off protests, touch off an argument, touch something off

appiccare, innescare un incendio

Far divampare un fuoco o provocare un incendio.

In inglese semplice: 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.

Come si usa: touch off something (A faulty wire touched off a fire.)

Sinonimi: ignite, start, set off

Contrari: extinguish

Espressioni comuni: touch off a fire, touch off forest fires

azzerare l’utensile per contatto

Impostare la posizione iniziale di un utensile toccando delicatamente il materiale o una superficie della macchina.

In inglese semplice: 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?

Come si usa: touch off on something (Touch off on the top surface before cutting.)

Sinonimi: set the tool datum

Espressioni comuni: touch off the tool, touch off on something