switch

switch1 [ swıtʃ ] verb ***

1. ) intransitive or transitive to change from one thing to another, or make something do this:

Then he switched sides and turned against his former allies.

We switched lanes and accelerated toward the junction.

switch to: He used to vote Republican, but he switched to Democrat in 1997.

switch between: Once you have learned the basics of word processing, switching between different programs is quite easy.

switch something (from something) to something: They announced that the tournament would be switched from March to December.

Reporters are switching their attention to other members of the royal family.

2. ) transitive to replace one object with another:

He was accused of switching price labels on goods in a supermarket.

switch places (=trade places): Will you switch places with me?

3. ) intransitive or transitive to do someone else's work in their place, usually in exchange for them doing your work on some other occasion:

switch with: Will you switch with me next week?

4. ) intransitive or transitive if an animal's tail switches, or if an animal switches its tail, the tail moves quickly and suddenly from one side to the other, usually because the animal is annoyed

,switch `off phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive if you switch off something such as a light or a machine, or it switches off, it stops working:

I parked the car and switched off the engine.

The heat has switched off.

2. ) intransitive INFORMAL to stop listening to someone or stop thinking about something:

He just switches off and ignores me.

,switch `on phrasal verb intransitive or transitive

if you switch on something such as a light or a machine, or it switches on, you make it start working:

Don't switch on the light.

The machine switches on automatically.

,switch `over intransitive

to stop doing one thing and start doing another:

He played baseball for ten years before switching over to coaching.

switch

switch 2 [ swıtʃ ] noun count **

1. ) something such as a button or key that controls the electrical supply to a light, piece of equipment, machine, etc.:

a light switch

an on-off switch

flick/flip a switch (=push it up or down): He flicked the intercom switch to his secretary.

press a switch: Lily pressed the switch and plunged the room into darkness.

2. ) a change from one thing to another:

a major policy switch by Washington

a switch (from something) to something: He said the switch from electric to solar power would be made soon.

A switch to a high-fiber diet will help your digestion.

make the switch (from something) to something: Last year he made the switch to boxing from kickboxing.

3. ) a stick so thin that you can bend it easily