touch off
• cause something to happen suddenly.
• "there was concern that the move could touch off a trade war"
Similar:
initiate,
set off,
start,
begin,
set in motion,
instigate,
ignite,
trigger (off),
stir up,
provoke,
foment,
cause,
give rise to,
lead to,
generate,
actuate,
launch,
• cause something to ignite or explode by touching it.
• "the soldier who touched off the mine was injured in the right foot"
• (of a racehorse) defeat another horse in a race by a short margin.
• "Royal Ballerina was touched off by Intrepidity in the English Oaks"
