English Dictionary

set off

verb

(idiomatic, intransitive) To leave; to begin a journey or trip. / (idiomatic, transitive) To begin; to cause; to initiate. / (idiomatic, transitive) To cause to explode, let off.

I always set off early in the morning to avoid traffic.

意味（1）

(idiomatic, intransitive) To leave; to begin a journey or trip.

He set off in search of better opportunities.

意味（2）

(idiomatic, transitive) To begin; to cause; to initiate.

I had no idea that one simple comment would set off such a huge argument.

意味（3）

(idiomatic, transitive) To cause to explode, let off.

What a tragedy, that someone would set off a bomb in a crowded place.

意味（4）

(idiomatic, transitive) To put into an angry mood; to start (a person) ranting or sulking, etc.

Don't set him off or he won't shut up all day.

意味（5）

(idiomatic, transitive) To enhance by emphasizing differences.

Her plain white dress was set off by a bright red stole.

意味（6）

(idiomatic, transitive) To offset, to compensate for: to reduce the effect of, by having a contrary effect.

My taxes did not increase because the amount of my raise was set off by my losses in the stock market.

意味（7）

(printing, historical) To deface or soil the next sheet; said of the ink on a freshly printed sheet, when another sheet comes in contact with it before it has had time to dry.