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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

See Examples For:

set off set-off

There’s no such thing, and should set off a huge alarm bell.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

The looming deadline set off a wave of alarm among communities in Los Angeles and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

The attacks set off raging fires at some of the warehouse complexes, imperiling the businesses of thousands of third-party vendors who sell goods over the popular online platforms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

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 three of them set off down the beach again, Zheng carrying the box under one arm.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook

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

As a set-off, however, to this, the scenery proved to be magnificent,—the floating mountains of ice resembling enchanted castles, and all nature was on a stupendous scale.

From Fridtjof Nansen A book for the young by Jacob B. Bull

Related Words

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