Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context transitive English) to turn a switch to the "on" position in order to start or enable a device 2 (context idiomatic English) to change one's expression or appearance as if by turning a switch
WordNet
v. cause to operate by flipping a switch; "switch on the light"; "turn on the stereo" [syn: turn on] [ant: switch off]
Usage examples of "switch on".
He threw a switch on the portapack, and the room lights came on to the glad cries of the four humans.
He stepped back, flipped the neutralizer switch on his ray gun, and fired a short burst.
The pirate captain pulled a thin rod about two feet long, with a switch on one end, from his jacket.
I think Koko flipped the switch on Iris's tape recorder when Cobb was trying to make his deal with Ben.
Her eyes rested for just a moment on a big, red switch on the bulkhead beside her, and then she jerked them away.
He never hesitated when he slid the selector switch on the hand phaser to full power.
Here' - she leant forward to the dashboard -'I'll switch on the blower.
Soon's we get inside I'll switch on my Maglite, and you can work that gizmo that makes the clothes go around, and before you know it we'll be outta here.
They switch on a light, they walk around, they make noise, and the painstaking burglar slinks away, and lives to steal another day.
I had no need that evening to switch on the church lights, as there was still adequate daylight.
We have rigged a dead-man's switch on our last explosives to ensure our bodies do not go to feeding the enemy.
In alarm Julian put out his hand to switch on the light, but before he could do so something heavy jumped right on top of him!