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• 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

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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

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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]

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Example Sentences

There was nothing that set off alarm bells.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

That simple upload set off an extraordinary chain of events.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

The midfielder set off in pure elation, sprinting down the touchline, team-mates trying to haul him back to celebrate.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

The cruise ship set off on its journey around the Pacific from Argentina on April 1, and the first infected passengers died on board on April 11.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

He was still considering this when they set off again, due west and climbing.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

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