mains, master, power
The mains switch is in the cupboard under the stairs.

electric, electrical | dimmer, off, on, on-off, time, timer
We fitted dimmer switches in all the bedrooms. | I couldn''t find the off switch on the remote control.

ignition, intercom, light

flick, flip, press, pull, throw, turn off/on
Someone threw a switch and the electricity went off.

activate sth, control sth, operate sth
This switch controls the heating system.

by (a) ~
The light operates by time switch.

on a ~
The heater is on a timer switch.

~ for
the switch for the air conditioning

at the flick of a switch
in the days before electricity was available at the flick of a switch

a bank of switches
The pilot reached across to the huge bank of switches on his right and flicked a couple.

abrupt, immediate, sudden | big | complete | tactical
The team''s manager made a shrewd tactical switch in defence.

make

~ away from
There will be no overnight switch away from old voting habits.

~ back to, ~ between
the recent switches between direct and indirect taxation

~ from
her switch from full-time to part-time work

~ in
their abrupt switch in allegiance

~ (over) to
theatre directors who make the switch over to films

easily, readily | suddenly
My mind suddenly switched back to my conversation with Jeremy.

around/round, back, over

decide to
He decided to switch tactics.

between
The remote control allows you to switch easily between TV channels.

(away) from
He switched his allegiance from the British to the French.

to, with
We asked them if they would switch places with us.