Definition of touchpaper in English:
touchpaper
noun ˈtʌtʃpeɪpəˈtətʃˌpeɪpər
1A strip of paper impregnated with nitre, for setting light to fireworks or explosive substances.
Example sentencesExamples
- At the time the first touchpaper was scheduled to be lit, cars were still queueing bumper to bumper on Netherhampton Road.
- They delight in allowing their children within close proximity of devices that will burn their faces off quicker than you can say 'light the blue touchpaper and stand well back'.
- And he can light the blue touchpaper on a Roman Candle, but it may be impossible to tell whether the ensuing two second fizzing is the intended special effect or a product malfunction.
- Light the blue touchpaper, and retire to a safe distance.
- 1.1 Used in reference to an action that is likely to cause anger or controversy.
it was an intervention by the umpire that lit the blue touchpaper
Example sentencesExamples
- It was those last words that finally lit the blue touchpaper.
- Any proposed variation of a ban immediately ignites a toxic touchpaper.
- Mentioning it to members of the 1958 squad was lighting the blue touchpaper of 45-year-old grievances.
- I like to think that I am not unduly irritated by life, but the last week has finally lit my personal touchpaper.
- Asked to look to the future Adu briefly hesitates, perhaps wary of relighting the promotional touchpaper, yet can't resist touching on the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
- He may not be around to light the blue touchpaper at future internationals, but fireworks lie ahead.
- By contrast, now I just sit there and wait for the magic word to set off the blue touchpaper.
- If we follow this route, I think we can both say, with considerable justification, that we have exhausted every conceivable avenue prior to lighting the litigation touchpaper.
- The blue touchpaper has been lit and things will explode in Question Time today.
- The Prime Minister had lit the touchpaper and retired to Downing Street, job done.
Definition of touchpaper in US English:
touchpaper
nounˈtətʃˌpeɪpərˈtəCHˌpāpər
1A strip of paper impregnated with niter, for lighting fireworks or explosive substances.
Example sentencesExamples
- And he can light the blue touchpaper on a Roman Candle, but it may be impossible to tell whether the ensuing two second fizzing is the intended special effect or a product malfunction.
- They delight in allowing their children within close proximity of devices that will burn their faces off quicker than you can say 'light the blue touchpaper and stand well back'.
- At the time the first touchpaper was scheduled to be lit, cars were still queueing bumper to bumper on Netherhampton Road.
- Light the blue touchpaper, and retire to a safe distance.
- 1.1 Used in reference to an action that is likely to cause anger or controversy.
it was an intervention by the umpire that lit the blue touchpaper
Example sentencesExamples
- I like to think that I am not unduly irritated by life, but the last week has finally lit my personal touchpaper.
- The Prime Minister had lit the touchpaper and retired to Downing Street, job done.
- Any proposed variation of a ban immediately ignites a toxic touchpaper.
- By contrast, now I just sit there and wait for the magic word to set off the blue touchpaper.
- It was those last words that finally lit the blue touchpaper.
- Mentioning it to members of the 1958 squad was lighting the blue touchpaper of 45-year-old grievances.
- He may not be around to light the blue touchpaper at future internationals, but fireworks lie ahead.
- Asked to look to the future Adu briefly hesitates, perhaps wary of relighting the promotional touchpaper, yet can't resist touching on the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
- If we follow this route, I think we can both say, with considerable justification, that we have exhausted every conceivable avenue prior to lighting the litigation touchpaper.
- The blue touchpaper has been lit and things will explode in Question Time today.