switch-on

[swich-on, -awn]

noun

1. the act or process of switching on an ignition, light, appliance, etc.

switch on

verb

1. to cause (a device) to operate by or as if by moving a switch, knob, or lever; turn on

2. informal,  (tr) to produce (charm, tears, etc) suddenly or automatically

3. informal,  (tr) (now slightly dated) to make up-to-date, esp regarding outlook, dress, etc

4. slang,  (tr) to arouse emotionally or sexually

5. slang,  (intr) to take or become intoxicated by drugs

6. slang,  (tr) to introduce (someone) to drugs

Word History and Origins

Origin of switch-on¹

Noun use of verb phrase switch on

Idioms and Phrases

Produce as if operating by a control, as in She switched on the charm as soon as he walked in. [Mid-1900s] Also see switch off.

Example Sentences

Instead, organisers have been left scrambling to organise a muted switch-on, with Sunday's event cancelled following advice from its safety advisory group, amid nationwide security concerns in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack.

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The council said Christmas switch-on events would take place in Halesowen on 15 November, in Brierley Hill and Stourbridge on 22 November, in Sedgley on 23 November and in Dudley on 6 December.

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High-profile cases include the stabbing of Ava White, who was just 12 when she was attacked by a boy at a Christmas lights switch-on event in 2021.

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Starting from Goodison Park, at the junction of Spellow Lane and Goodison Road, the library lit up with a beam of light shooting into the sky in a symbolic switch-on, following live music performances..

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Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said the big switch-on was "an opportunity to show that hate will never win in our communities".

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Related Words

• affect 
• arouse 
• energize 
• galvanize 
• inflame 
• inspire 
• kindle 
• prompt 
• provoke 
• raise 
• rouse 
• spark 
• spur 
• touch 
• trigger 
• whip up