touchpaper
Britishnoun
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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
The touchpaper had been lit – and thankfully Ashe was now pretty much full to witness it.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2025
With tennis academies springing up all over China, Wu could be the player to light the blue touchpaper.
From Reuters ● Sep. 18, 2017
Despite the immovable face, she has audience and host alike helpless within seconds – interviewing her is akin to lighting the blue touchpaper and retiring.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 8, 2012
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 Galton, Francis, Sir
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.
