1
general::
verb put your hand on sb/sth; be in contact with sb/sth ADV. (not) actually, not even, not quite He did not actually touch the substance, but may have inhaled microparticles. | barely, hardly, scarcely You've hardly touched your food (= not eaten it). | almost, nearly, practically Their faces were almost touching. | just | briefly His fingers briefly touched hers. | gently, lightly | gingerly | accidentally, inadvertently He accidentally touched a live wire attached to overhead power cables. | never He said I kicked him, but I never touched him! VERB + TOUCH want to | (not) dare (to) Don't you dare touch me! | reach out to Her hand reached out to touch his cheek. | let sb He wouldn't let me touch the wound. PREP. on He touched her gently on the arm. | with She touched him with her hand. make sb feel a strong emotion ADV. deeply The story touched me very deeply. PHRASAL VERBS touch on/upon sth ADV. briefly | just, merely Photojournalism and the birth of photography are merely touched on in the book. VERB + TOUCH want to I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem., noun act of touching sb/sth ADJ. delicate, gentle, light, slight The slightest touch will set off the alarm. PREP. at sb/sth's ~ The door swung open at his touch. You can now do your shopping at the touch of a button. small detail ADJ. final, finishing | decorative, festive, homely, romantic The family photos give the room a homely touch. | humorous | classy, lovely, nice, professional Giving her flowers was a nice touch. | feminine, human, idiosyncratic, individual, personal | little The decor includes many idiosyncratic little touches. VERB + TOUCH add, give sth, put She's just putting the finishing touches to her painting. particular ability ADJ. golden, magic | deft, sure With students she had a sure touch and showed great personal sensitivity. | light He handles this controversial subject with a light touch. | political He found his old political touch when the crisis emerged. VERB + TOUCH find | lose Maybe the champion is losing her magic touch. small amount of sth ADJ. little, subtle | welcome VERB + TOUCH add, bring Her speech brought a welcome touch of humour to the evening. PREP. with a ~ of ‘Thanks,’ she said, with a touch of sarcasm. | ~ of contact ADJ. close The security staff were in close touch with the local police. VERB + TOUCH get in I'm trying to get in touch with Jane. Do you have her number? | keep in, stay in It is important to keep in touch with the latest research. Let's keep in touch. | put sb in I'll put you in touch with someone in your area. | lose I've lost touch with all my old friends. PREP. in ~ Are you still in touch with your friends from college? | out of ~ This government is increasingly out of touch with ordinary voters. | ~ with
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
touch sb up
[ M ] UK ( US feel sb up )
to touch someone's body in a sexual way without their permission
• She claimed that he had tried to touch her up., touch sth off
[ M ]
to cause a violent or difficult series of events to suddenly begin
• The plans for a new airport have touched off a storm of protest., touch down
When an aircraft touches down, it lands. , touch sth up
[ M ]
to improve something by making small changes or additions
• She touched up her lipstick and brushed her hair.
• We thought the photo had probably been touched up, because he looked so much younger in it., touch sth in
[ M ] specialized
to draw or paint a detail in a larger painting with quick light marks
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with TOUCH, Also see COMMON TOUCH; FINISHING TOUCH; HIT (TOUCH) BOTTOM; IN TOUCH; LOSE ONE'S TOUCH; LOSE TOUCH; NOT TOUCH WITH A TEN-FOOT POLE; OUT OF TOUCH; PUT THE ARM (TOUCH) ON; SOFT TOUCH.
American Heritage Idioms
4
general::
touch
to put your fingers or hand onto someone or something for a very short time:
• Don’t touch the iron – it’s hot!
feel
to touch something with your fingers in order to find out about it:
• Feel how soft this material is. • I felt his forehead. It was cold.
handle
to touch something and pick it up and hold it in your hands:
• Children should always wash their hands before handling food. • The glass was very fragile, and she handled it with great care. • Please do not handle the merchandise.
finger
to touch or handle something with your fingers, especially while you are thinking of other things:
• She fingered the heavy necklace around her neck.
rub
to move your hand over a surface while pressing it:
• Bob rubbed his eyes and yawned.
scratch
to rub part of your body with your nails, often because it itches:
• The dog kept scratching its ear. • Bob scratched his head thoughtfully.
tickle
to move your fingers lightly over someone’s body in order to make them laugh:
• The baby giggled as I tickled him.
grope
to touch someone’s body in a sexual way when they do not want to be touched:
• The officer was accused of groping several women in his platoon.
touch somebody gently or lovingly
stroke
to move your hand gently over something, especially in a loving way:
• She stroked the child’s hair. • Our cat won’t let people stroke him.
pat
to touch an animal or child lightly several times, with your hand flat:
• He knelt down to pat the dog. • She patted the little boy’s head.
pet
to touch and move your hand gently over someone, especially an animal or child:
• The goats, pigs, sheep, and cows here allow you to pet them.
caress
to gently touch a part of someone’s body in a loving way:
• a mother caressing her child • She caressed his cheek.
fondle
to touch a part of someone’s body in a loving or sexual way – use this especially about touching someone in a sexual way that is not wanted:
• He tried to fondle her and she immediately pulled away from him.
Longman-Thesaurus