touch off
verb
Definition of touch off
transitive verb
1a : to provoke or initiate with sudden intensity the verdict touched off local riotsb : to cause to explode by or as if by touching with fire
2 : to describe or characterize with precision
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Examples of touch off in a Sentence
his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts
Circa 1765
First Known Use of touch off
circa 1765
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