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Meaning & use

easy touch

noun·Everydayinformaldisapproving

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UK/ˌiːzi ˈtʌtʃ/
US/ˌiːzi ˈtʌtʃ/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. nouncountableinformaldisapproving

    Someone who is easily persuaded to give money, lend things, or do favors for others.

    Grammar: Countable and usually used with 'an': he is an easy touch for a loan.

    Patterns

    • an easy touch for something
    • be an easy touch
    • ask an easy touch for something

    Everyone in the office knows that Tom is an easy touch, so he is always paying for other people's coffee.

    She never lends her car, so don't expect her to be an easy touch about it.

  2. nounsingularinformal

    Someone or something that is very easy to beat, trick, or take advantage of.

    Grammar: Often used with 'a' to describe a person or team in a contest: the champion was an easy touch today.

    Patterns

    • be an easy touch for someone
    • an easy touch in a game

    The young goalkeeper looked an easy touch in the first half, but he improved after that.

    Small shops can seem an easy touch for thieves at busy times.

Word forms

pluraleasy touches

Common combinations

be an easy touch for money
His brother is an easy touch for money whenever he needs a few dollars.
an easy touch for a loan
The bank manager was an easy touch for a loan because he knew the family well.
an easy touch in a match
The team was an easy touch in the first match but much stronger later.
known as an easy touch
She is known as an easy touch when friends need help moving house.

Synonyms and how they differ

soft touch
Almost the same meaning and also informal, but it often sounds a little kinder, suggesting someone generous rather than simply weak.
pushover
Stronger and more disapproving; it suggests someone who gives in very quickly and has little authority.
sucker
Informal and insulting; it focuses on the person being tricked rather than on being generous.

Opposites

hard casetough customer

Word family

easy adjective
Not difficult; also used of a person who is relaxed and not strict.
touch noun
The act of putting your hand on something; in this phrase it means a person you can 'touch' for money.

Commonly confused: easy touch or soft touch? easy touch or easygoing?

easy touch vs soft touch

Very close in meaning, but 'soft touch' can be approving when it means someone generous, while 'easy touch' usually criticizes someone for being easily used.

easy touch vs easygoing

An adjective meaning calm and not easily annoyed. It describes a relaxed character, not someone who gives away money.

Practice

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