collocations.org

Collocations for touch - noun

1. act of touching sb/sth

ADJECTIVE

delicate, gentle, light, slight
The slightest touch will set off the alarm.

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PREPOSITION

at sb/sth's touch
The door swung open at his touch.
You can now shop at the touch of a button.

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PHRASES

be cold, hot, soft, etc. to the touch
The solid rock was warm to the touch.

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2. small detail

ADJECTIVE

final, finishing
decorative, festive, homely (BrE), romantic
The family photos add a homely touch.
The candles gave the table a romantic touch.
humorous
classy, lovely (esp. BrE), nice, professional
Giving her flowers was a nice touch.
feminine, human, individual, personal
little, small, subtle
The decor includes many individual little touches.

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VERB + touch

add, give sth, put
She's just putting the finishing touches to her painting.

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3. particular ability

ADJECTIVE

golden, magic
deft, sure (esp. BrE)
She seemed to have a deft touch with comedy.
With students she had a sure touch and showed great personal sensitivity.
light
He handles this controversial subject with a light touch.
political
He found his old political touch when the crisis emerged.
shooting (AmE) (in basketball)
He must regain his shooting touch.

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VERB + touch

have
find
lack
lose
Maybe the champion is losing her magic touch.

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PHRASES

the common touch
a politician who lacked the common touch

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4. small amount of sth

ADJECTIVE

little, subtle
welcome
right
He has just the right touch of arrogance for the role.

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VERB + touch

add, bring
Her speech brought a welcome touch of frivolity to the evening.

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PREPOSITION

with a touch of
‘Thanks,’ she said, with a touch of sarcasm.
touch of

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5. contact

ADJECTIVE

close
The security staff were in close touch with the local police.

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VERB + touch

get in
I'm trying to get in touch with Jane. Do you have her number?
keep in, stay in
It is important to keep in touch with the latest research.
Let's keep in touch.
put sb in
I'll put you in touch with someone in your area.
lose
I've lost touch with all my old friends.

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PREPOSITION

in touch
Are you still in touch with your friends from college?
out of touch
This government is increasingly out of touch with ordinary voters.
touch with

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Collocations for touch - verb

1. put your hand on sb/sth; be in contact with sb/sth

ADVERB

(not) actually, not even, not quite
He did not actually touch the substance, but may have inhaled it.
barely, hardly, scarcely
You've hardly touched your food (= not eaten it).
almost, nearly, practically
Their faces were almost touching.
just
briefly
His fingers briefly touched hers.
gently, lightly
gingerly
accidentally, inadvertently
He accidentally touched a live wire.
never
He said I kicked him, but I never touched him!

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VERB + touch

want to
(not) dare (to)
Don't you dare touch me!
reach out, over, up, etc. to
Her hand reached out to touch his cheek.
let sb
He wouldn't let me touch the wound.

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PREPOSITION

on
He touched her gently on the arm.
with
She touched him with her hand.

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PHRASES

(be) careful not to touch sth
She hugged him, being careful not to touch his broken wrist.
close enough to touch sb/sth
He was close enough to touch her.

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2. make sb feel a strong emotion

ADVERB

deeply
The story touched me very deeply.

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touch on/upon sth - PHRASAL VERB

ADVERB

briefly
just, merely
Photography is merely touched on in the book.

VERB + touch on/upon

want to
I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.

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Touch is used with these nouns as the subject:
foot, hand, sun, tragedy

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Touch is used with these nouns as the object:
arm, ball, bottom, ceiling, cheek, chin, exhibit, flesh, floor, genitals, ground, hand, hat, heart, key, knob, stove, subject, surface, toe

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