Jump To:

• set off
  set off

  verb

  (intr) to embark on a journey
• set-off
  set-off

  noun

  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

set off

¹ British  

verb

1. (intr) to embark on a journey

2. (tr) to cause (a person) to act or do something, such as laugh or tell stories

3. (tr) to cause to explode

4. (tr) to act as a foil or contrast to, esp so as to improve

   that brooch sets your dress off well

5. (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

6. (intr) to bring a claim by way of setoff

---

noun

1. anything that serves as a counterbalance

2. anything that serves to contrast with or enhance something else; foil

3. another name for setback See set back

4. a counterbalancing debt or claim offered by a debtor against a creditor

5. a cross claim brought by a debtor that partly offsets the creditor's claim See also counterclaim

set-off ² British  

noun

1. 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

---

set off Idioms  

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

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

3. 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]

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

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

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

set off set-off

Researchers found that sustained warming in the tropical warm pool during 2021-23 set off a chain of atmospheric changes that ultimately affected weather thousands of miles away in Antarctica.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026

The BBC understands that Cole Worthy and the four others then set off in the Passat to find the Volvo.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

In the Gulf, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain and also Kuwait, where authorities said an Iranian drone set off a blaze at a residential complex.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

The complication behind the Novartis deaths happens when the immune cells, once reinfused, overreact and set off a wave of inflammation that can damage organs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

So I set off all on my lonesome, across the croquet lawn.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

In the first quarter of next year the one millionth all-electric car will set-off on UK roads, according to Schmidt Automotive Research.

From BBC ● Dec. 21, 2023

Purists will appreciate that every page of the comics was scanned and enlarged from originals, retaining original printing errors, poor registration and ink set-off that appear in early comics to give a feeling of authenticity.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 6, 2019

Historically, Guinea-Bissau has been popular set-off point for migrants hoping to make it to Europe.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2018

Oliver exclaimed to set-off a dedicated segment of his HBO show "Last Week Tonight" on Sunday.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2018

But would not the Nawab have reckoned what I was able to do for you as a set-off against what my father is supposed to have done.”

From The Sirdar's Oath A Tale of the North-West Frontier by Bertram Mitford

Related Words

• add to
• aggravate
• boost
• build up
• deepen
• enhance
• escalate
• exacerbate
• heat up
• heighten
• increase
• quicken
• raise
• redouble
• reinforce
• sharpen
• step up
• strengthen