touch off (something)

to cause something violent or destructive to start.

Plans for a new homeless shelter touched off a storm of protest.

Windblown wires touched off the blaze.

There was a dramatic fall in stock prices, and no one is sure what touched it off.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of touch off (= to cause an old-fashioned gun to fire)

• cross the line
• cross the Rubicon
• cross to bear
• cross your fingers
• cross your mind
• cross your path
• crowd-puller
• crown it all
• cry-baby
• cry eyes out
• cry for the moon
• cry heart out
• cry like a baby
• cry out for
• cry out for something
• crystal clear
• cry wolf
• cry your eyes out
• cry your heart out
• culture shock
• culture vulture
• cupboard love
• curate's egg
• Curiosity killed the cat.
• curl hair