switch
/switʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A change or exchange: The act of changing one thing, position, or state for another.
- A mechanical or electrical control device: A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.
- A flexible rod or twig: A slender, flexible shoot, stem, or twig, especially one used for whipping.
- A shift in sports strategy: A maneuver in sports where players exchange defensive assignments.
- A hairpiece: A section of false hair used in styling.
Verb:
- To change or exchange: To shift, change, or substitute one thing for another.
- To operate a device: To turn an electrical or mechanical device on or off by using a switch.
- To whip or lash: To strike or beat with a flexible rod or twig.
- To divert or shift direction: To change the direction, course, or focus of something.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- He made a sudden switch from support to opposition. (A change in position.)
- Please flip the light switch. (An electrical control device.)
- The gardener used a switch to train the young branches. (A flexible twig.)
Verb:
- I decided to switch to a healthier diet. (To change to something else.)
- Could you switch off the television? (To turn off a device.)
- The rider switched the horse lightly to urge it forward. (To whip gently.)
Advanced Usage
"to switch gears": To change one's focus, approach, or topic of discussion.
- After discussing the budget, let's switch gears and talk about marketing.
"to switch sides": To change one's allegiance or support from one side to another in a conflict or competition.
- The politician switched sides and joined the opposition party.
"to switch over": To change from one system, method, or channel to another.
- Our company will switch over to the new software next month.
Variants and Related Words
Switcher (n): A person or device that switches something.
- He worked as a track switcher for the railroad.
Switchable (adj): Capable of being switched or changed.
- The device has a switchable power source.
Switching (n/gerund): The action or process of changing or exchanging.
- The switching of the defensive players confused the offense.
Synonyms
- Change (v/n): To make or become different; an act or process through which something becomes different.
- Swap (v/n): To take part in an exchange of; an act of exchanging one thing for another.
- Shift (v/n): To move or change from one position, direction, or focus to another.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Switch off:
- To turn off an electrical device by using a switch.
- Don't forget to switch off the lights when you leave.
- (Informal) To stop paying attention; to become disengaged or bored.
- I just switch off during long meetings.
Switch on:
- To turn on an electrical device by using a switch.
- She switched on the radio to hear the news.
- (Informal) To become alert, excited, or lively.
- The crowd really switched on when the band started playing.
Switch out: To remove something and replace it with something else.
- We need to switch out the old batteries for new ones.
Related Idioms
Asleep at the switch: Failing to act promptly or being negligent in one's duties.
- The security guard was asleep at the switch when the intruders entered.
To pull a switch: To perform a trick involving a substitution or deception.
- The magician pulled a switch, and the rabbit disappeared.
Noun
- the act of changing one thing or position for another
- his switch on abortion cost him the election
- a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other
- a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
- railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock
- hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure
- an event in which one thing is substituted for another
- the replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood
- control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
Verb
- reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
- flog with or as if with a flexible rod
- cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation
- switch on the light
- throw the lever
- make a shift in or exchange of; then we switched"
- First Joe led
- lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
- switch to a different brand of beer
- She switched psychiatrists
- The car changed lanes
- exchange or give (something) in exchange for
- change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence