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Pieanne Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

throw off a switch

(it's got to do with swimming poll maintainance)

"If you use that tube, and if it's not fixed -the tube has a hole in it - it will probably throw off the main electrical switch"

Does it mean "cause a short-circuit"? Thank you!
  

Top answer

Hi, It certainly doesn't sound natural to me. he threw off the switch sounds to me like he turned it off abruptly and violently. However, the context here does suggest 'cause a short-circuit' is the idea.

— Clive

  • Hi, It certainly doesn't sound natural to me.
  • he threw off the switch sounds to me like he turned it off abruptly and violently.
  • However, the context here does suggest 'cause a short-circuit' is the idea.
  • There are 'breaker switches', but usually one talks of 'opening' them.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,

It certainly doesn't sound natural to me. he threw off the switch sounds to me like he turned it off abruptly and violently.

However, the context here does suggest 'cause a short-circuit' is the idea.

There are 'breaker switches', but usually one talks of 'opening' them.

Best wishes, Clive
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Hi, Clive, thanks!

You were supposed to read "pool", not "poll", obviously Emotion: smile

You know, here on the French Riviera,
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Pieanne
You were supposed to read "pool", not "poll", obviously Emotion: smile

Pity. I rather
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Yes, betxween the oleander and the olive trees... Emotion: smile
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With the odd waft of lavender, when the wind sat right...

Yes, I may well apply. I have already devised a number of questions.

MrP
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