switch
noun uk/swɪtʃ/ us/swɪtʃ/
(DEVICE)
B1 [ C ]开关
a small device, usually pushed up or down with your finger, that controls and turns on or off an electric current
a light switch 电灯开关
Can you flip the switch? 你能打开那个开关吗？
switches[ plural ] US (mainly UK points) （铁路的）道岔，转辙器
a place on a railway track where the rails (= metal bars on which the trains travel) can be moved to allow a train to change from one track to another
The train rattled as it went over the switches. 火车哐啷哐啷驶过道岔。
- More examples
- You turn the television on by flipping the switch at the side.
- Mysteriously, the light came on, although no one was near the switch.
- An additional power switch for the radio is handily located next to the steering wheel.
- She flicked the on-off switch.
- All these machines operate at the flick of a switch.
(CHANGE)
[ C ]突然改变，彻底改变；调换；转换
a sudden or complete change, especially of one person or thing for another
switch
verb [ T, I usually + adv/prep ] uk/swɪtʃ/ us/swɪtʃ/
(DEVICE)
B1 打开（开关）;关闭（开关）;转换
to use a switch to change a device from one state or type of operation to another
switch the TV off/on 关／开电视
- More examples
- Are you positive that you saw me switch the iron off?
- By toggling this key, you can switch the italics on and off.
- Could you switch on the radio?
- She switched to another channel to watch the football.
- The computer takes a few seconds to power up after it's been switched on.
(CHANGE)
B2 突然改变，彻底改变;调换;转换
to change suddenly or completely, especially from one thing to another, or to exchange by replacing one person or thing with another
She started studying English, but switched to Law in her second year. 她刚上大学时学的是英语，但二年级的时候她改学法律了。
In 1971, Britain switched over (= changed completely) to a decimal currency. 1971年，英国改用十进制货币。
After the bank robbery, the gang switched cars (= left one car and got into another). 抢劫银行后，匪徒们换了汽车。
- More examples
- The robbers switched the painting for a fake.
- We used to have oil-fired central heating, but now we've switched to gas.
- Many European countries have now switched over to the Euro.
- He's decided to switch the meeting from Monday to Thursday.
- Will you switch shifts with me on Friday?
Phrasal verbs
switch off 不再关注，不再理睬
to stop giving your attention to someone or something
If he gets bored, he just switches off and looks out the window. 他觉得无聊时，就心不在焉地朝窗外看。
switch something on （通常不是发自内心地）突然变得，突然装出
If someone switches on a particular emotion or behaviour, they suddenly start to feel or behave in that way, but usually not sincerely.
When a customer walks in, she switches on the charm. 一有顾客走进来，她就马上装出亲切可人的样子。