english
1
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with SWITCH, Also see ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH; BAIT AND SWITCH.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
verb ADV. easily, readily | suddenly My mind suddenly switched back to my conversation with Jeremy. | around/round, back, over VERB + SWITCH decide to He decided to switch tactics. PREP. between The remote control allows you to switch easily between TV channels. | (away) from He switched his allegiance from the British to the French. | to, with We asked them if they would switch places with us., noun small button/lever ADJ. mains, master, power The mains switch is in the cupboard under the stairs. | electric, electrical | dimmer, off, on, on-off, time, timer We fitted dimmer switches in all the bedrooms. I couldn't find the off switch on the remote control. | ignition, intercom, light VERB + SWITCH flick, flip, press, pull, throw, turn off/on Someone threw a switch and the electricity went off. SWITCH + VERB activate sth, control sth, operate sth This switch controls the heating system. PREP. by (a) ~ The light operates by time switch. | on a ~ The heater is on a timer switch. | ~ for the switch for the air conditioning PHRASES at the flick of a switch in the days before electricity was available at the flick of a switch | a bank of switches The pilot reached across to the huge bank of switches on his right and flicked a couple. change that sb makes ADJ. abrupt, immediate, sudden | big | complete | tactical The team's manager made a shrewd tactical switch in defence. VERB + SWITCH make PREP. ~ away from There will be no overnight switch away from old voting habits. | ~ back to, ~ between the recent switches between direct and indirect taxation | ~ from her switch from full-time to part-time work | ~ in their abrupt switch in allegiance | ~ (over) to theatre directors who make the switch over to films
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
noun
lever:
Turn on the light switch.
noun
exchange:
We made a switch in the books.
verb
swapped:
She switched the dresses.
verb
turned:
He switched on the light.
Simple Definitions
4
general::
Phrase(s): switch (around) (with someone or something)
to exchange or trade with someone or something. (The optional elements cannot be transposed.) • I liked Jill’s lunch, and she liked mine, so I switched around with her. • I liked Jill’s, and she liked mine, so we switched around with each other.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
5
general::
switch sth on
usually disapproving
If someone switches on a particular emotion or behaviour, they suddenly start to feel or behave in that way, but usually not sincerely
• When a customer walks in, she switches on the charm., switch off
informal
to stop giving your attention to someone or something
• If he gets bored, he just switches off and looks out the window.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
6
general::
switch
nouns
switch sides
(= start supporting someone or something else )
• Three senators switched sides and voted for the ban.
switch (your) allegiance
(= start supporting someone else )
• Most of his supporters had switched their allegiance to his rival.
switch channels
(= start watching a different TV channel )
• Rod switched channels with the remote control.
switch tactics
• Sensing that his victim was going to escape him, he switched tactics.
switch your attention/focus to something
• Laura wasn't interested so he switched his attention to Tessa.
switch brands
• 46% of consumers surveyed were likely to switch brands to support companies they saw as socially responsible,
the emphasis switches/is switched to something
• The emphasis has switched to defence.
switch 2
verbs
press a switch
• He pressed a switch on the wall and the door opened.
flick/flip a switch
(= move it so something starts or stops )
• You start the fan by just flipping this switch.
throw a switch
(= move it so something starts or stops, especially something big )
• Could a nuclear war really be started by someone just throwing a switch?
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + switch
a light switch
• He reached for the light switch.
a dimmer switch
(= a switch that can change the brightness of a light )
an on-off switch
• I couldn’t find the on-off switch.
the power switch
• They have reverted to placing the mains power switch at the back of the unit.
the mains switch
(= one that controls the supply of electricity to a house )
• The mains switch is located inside a cupboard near the front door.
phrases
at the flick/touch of a switch
(= very quickly and easily, with a switch )
• The advantages of having electricity available at the flick of a switch are obvious.
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