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Glite Dictionary
to change the channel

to change the channel

23 1.3
Switch to a different television channel by pressing a button or using the remote
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : cambiar de canal
  • She quickly changed the channel from the news to her favorite game show.
  • change the television channel

But it's if you had a cool guard, what you could get him to change the channel.

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Examples

  • - No, no, no, no, don't change the channel!

    Aux (2018)

  • We don't even get out of the recliner chair to change the channel on the TV anymore.

    Blog text (32)

  • Do one of you guys mind changing the channel?

    Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

  • Can we turn this off or change the channel?

    I Spy (2002)

  • Ten million people just changed the channel.

    Big Miracle (2012)

  • - Can I change the channel?

    On the Inside (2011)

  • - Can you change the channel, please?

    Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

  • His wife changed the channel.

    The Birds (1963)

  • When it arrived, he turned down the volume and changed the channel.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • In fact, lately I hit mute or change the channel whenever he is on.

    Blog text (13)

Synonyms

to zap
vsto change the channel
  • Informal
1 3.7

To change TV channels quickly using a remote control

switch television channels without implying speed
to rechannel
vsto change the channel
  • Specialized
6.8

To change the channel or frequency on a radio

do a simple switch of television channels for viewing not technical work

How Fast

to zap
  • Informal
1 3.7
to channel-surf
  • Informal
5 5.6
to change the channel
23 1.3

Surface Forms

change the channel infinitive
changed the channel past
changed the channel past participle
changing the channel present participle
changes the channel third person singular

Morphology

change + the + channel

The meaning 'to switch from one television channel to another' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'change' (to replace or exchange) with 'channel' (a television station); the definite article does not affect compositionality. This is a straightforward verb + noun instructional/television action pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase change the channel comes from using televisions: you press a button or turn a dial to change which channel you watch. So it simply means 'to switch from one TV show to another'.