View synonyms for set off

set off

verb

(intr) to embark on a journey
(tr) to cause (a person) to act or do something, such as laugh or tell stories
(tr) to cause to explode
(tr) to act as a foil or contrast to, esp so as to improve
that brooch sets your dress off well
(tr) accounting to cancel a credit on (one account) against a debit on another, both of which are in the name of the same person, enterprise, etc
(intr) to bring a claim by way of setoff

noun

anything that serves as a counterbalance
anything that serves to contrast with or enhance something else; foil
another name for setback See set back
a counterbalancing debt or claim offered by a debtor against a creditor
a cross claim brought by a debtor that partly offsets the creditor's claim See also counterclaim

set-off

noun

Also called (esp Brit): offset. printing a fault in which ink is transferred from a heavily inked or undried printed sheet to the sheet next to it in a pile

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Idioms and Phrases

Give rise to, cause to occur, as in The acid set off a chemical reaction . [Early 1600s]

Cause to explode, as in They set off a bomb . [Late 1800s]

Distinguish, show to be different, contrast with, as in That black coat sets him off from the others in the picture , or Italics set this sentence off from the rest of the text . [Late 1500s]

Enhance, make more attractive, as in That color sets off her blonde hair . [Early 1600s]

Begin a journey, leave, as in When do you set off for Europe? [Second half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Israel agreed to the truce on Friday and pulled back troops from several areas of the territory, prompting long columns of exhausted residents to set off for the north along a coastal road.

Related Words

setoff seton

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