touch paper
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of touch paper
First recorded in 1740–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But while the attack failed to light the touch paper, England's new blitz, implemented by defence coach Felix Jones, remained relatively resolute.
From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2024
She’s certainly lit the blue touch paper there.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 6, 2020
Their tone appears calm and measured, yet this briefing would light the touch paper for the Cold War’s most dramatic crisis.
From Scientific American ● Aug. 6, 2019
It proved the perfect Wimbledon tune-up for McEnroe in 1981 and 1984, the blue touch paper for flame-haired teenager Becker to rampage to Wimbledon glory in 1985.
From Reuters ● Jun. 16, 2014
Then we might shove down through the mouth of the bottle, and through the hole below it into the powder, a long strip of paper dipped in saltpetre, to make touch paper of it.
From For Name and Fame Or Through Afghan Passes by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
