- a small device that you press or move up and down in order to turn a light or piece of electrical equipment on and off（电路的）开关，闸，转换器
- a light switch电灯开关
- an on–off switch通断开关
- He flipped a switch and the lights came on.他扳动开关，灯就亮了。
- to flick/press a switch轻触/按下开关
- to throw a switch (= to move a large switch)扳动开关
- (figurative) A young team can't just flip a switch and have the experience needed to win.一个年轻的团队不能只是轻轻一转就拥有获胜所需的经验。
- That was in the days before electricity was available at the flick of a switch (= by simply pressing a switch).那是在过去，还没有到开关一响就有电的时代。
see also dimmer switch, dip switch, kill switch, rocker switch, time switch, toggle switchExtra Examples- Which switch do I press to turn it off?我按哪个开关就能把它关了？
- This switch controls the heating system.这个开关控制供热系统。
- I couldn't find the off switch on the remote control.我找不到遥控器上的关机按钮。
- Someone threw a switch and the electricity went off.有人扳了电闸，电就断了。
- The heater is on a timer switch.加热器连在一个定时开关上。
- The mains switch is in the cupboard under the stairs.电源开关在楼梯下面龛盒里 。
- The pilot reached across to the huge bank of switches on his right and flicked a couple.飞行员把手伸向右侧的一大排开关，轻轻按了几个。
Topics Engineeringb2Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjectiveverb + switchswitch + verb- activate something
- control something
- operate something
- …
preposition- by a switch
- on a switch
- switch for
- …
phrasesSee full entry - a change from one thing to another, especially when this is sudden and complete（尤指突然彻底的）改变，转变
- a policy switch政策的转变
- switch in/of something a switch of priorities轻重缓急的改变
- switch from A to B She made the switch from full-time to part-time work when her first child was born.第一个孩子出生后她就从全职工作改为兼职工作。
Extra Examples- The team's manager made a shrewd tactical switch in defence.该队主教练对防守战术作出了高明的调整。
- There will be no overnight switch away from old voting habits.不会一夜之间就改变旧的选举习惯。
- the recent switches between direct and indirect taxation近期在直接税和间接税之间的反复
- theatre directors who make the switch over to films转行拍电影的戏剧导演们
- their abrupt switch in allegiance他们在拥戴对象方面的突然转变
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjectiveverb + switchpreposition- switch away from
- switch from
- switch back to
- …
See full entry - (North American English) the points on a railway line（铁路的）转辙器，道岔Topics Transport by bus and trainc2
- a thin stick that bends easily（细软）枝条；鞭子
Word Originlate 16th cent. (denoting a thin tapering riding whip): probably from Low German.
Idioms asleep at the switch (North American English) (also asleep on the job, asleep at the wheel ())
- not paying enough attention to what you need to do切换：对您需要做的事没有足够的重视
- Someone must have been asleep at the switch to alow this to happen.发生这种事时，一定有人在睡觉。
- They were asleep on the job as the financial crisis deepened.随着金融危机的加深，他们在工作中睡着了。
- Let's hope the regulators are not asleep at the wheel.让我们希望监管者不是在开车时睡着了。
