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switch off

   Also found in: Medical, Financial, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
switch  (swch)
n.
1. A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.
2. The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals: a cow's switch.
3. A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.
4. A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod.
5. A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.
6. A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.
7.
a. The act or process of operating a switching device.
b. The result achieved by such an act.
8. An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.
9. A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.
v. switched, switch·ing, switch·es
v.tr.
1. Chiefly Southern U.S. To whip with or as if with a switch, especially in punishing a child.
2. To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply: a cat switching its tail.
3. To shift, transfer, or divert: switched the conversation to a lighter subject.
4. To exchange: asked her brother to switch seats with her.
5. To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.
6. To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation: switched the lights on and off.
7. Informal To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on: switched on the charm.
8. To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.
v.intr.
1. To make or undergo a shift or an exchange: The office has switched to shorter summer hours.
2. To swish sharply from side to side.
Phrasal Verb:
switch off Informal
To stop paying attention; lose interest.

[Probably of Low German or Flemish origin.]

switcha·ble adj.
switcher n.

switch off
Verb
1. to cause (a device) to stop operating by moving a switch or lever: she switched off the television
2. Informal to become bored and stop paying attention: when the conversation turned to house prices I switched off
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Verb1.switch offswitch off - cause to stop operating by disengaging a switch; "Turn off the stereo, please"; "cut the engine"; "turn out the lights"
kill - cause to cease operating; "kill the engine"
flip, switch, throw - cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation; "switch on the light"; "throw the lever"
switch on, turn on - cause to operate by flipping a switch; "switch on the light"; "turn on the stereo"


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Eliza tries to control herself and feel indifferent as she rises and walks across to the hearth to switch off the lights.
 
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