touchpaper
Britishnoun
-
paper soaked in saltpetre and used for firing gunpowder
-
to do something that will cause much anger or excitement
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.
Five-time champions Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by a powerful Morocco side as they lit the touchpaper on their challenge on Saturday.
From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026
While The Crew may have lit the touchpaper for Stop Killing Games' launch, there have been many games before and since which have suddenly been shut down.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
With tennis academies springing up all over China, Wu could be the player to light the blue touchpaper.
From Reuters ● Sep. 18, 2017
Short link for this page: http://gu.com/p/3db63 Still, plenty of time yet, and this could be the very match to light the touchpaper: the holders Zambia against the much-fancied and much-improved Nigerians.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 25, 2013
Ashes, for soap; for salt; for saltpetre and touchpaper; bivouac in; in flooring; dressing skins.
From The Art of Travel Shifts and Contrivances Available in Wild Countries by Sir Francis Galton
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