phrasal verb
set off
set OF
Set off (phrasal verb) means to begin a journey or start out towards somewhere. Example: “We set off at dawn to beat the traffic.”
phrasal verb
1
To begin a journey or start out towards somewhere.
"We set off at dawn to beat the traffic."
"They set off on foot for the next village."
2
To cause something to start suddenly, especially an alarm, an explosion or a chain of events.
"The smoke from the toaster set off the fire alarm."
"One arrest set off three nights of unrest."
3
To make someone suddenly angry, upset or distressed, or to trigger a strong emotional or physical reaction.
"Any mention of the divorce sets him off."
"Strong perfume sets off her migraines."
4
To make something look better by contrast or by providing a background for it.
"The plain frame sets off the painting perfectly."
"A green scarf would set off her eyes."
noun
1
legal and accounting An amount owed by one party that is deducted from a debt owed to it by the other, so only the balance is paid.
"The builder claimed a set-off for the unpaid final invoice."
How to use set off
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo start a journey, or to make something suddenly happen.
When to use it
Neutral and very common in everyday speech; the accounting noun is technical.
Memory tip
With an object the parts can split: it set the alarm off.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
set off early
set off the alarm
set off a chain reaction
set off a bomb
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We _____ at dawn to beat the traffic.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between set off and set out?
Both can mean to begin a journey, and there they are interchangeable, though set off suggests the moment of departure and set out the undertaking as a whole. Set out has extra meanings set off does not: to arrange things, and to state something clearly, as in the contract sets out the terms.
Is it set off or setoff?
The verb is always two words: they set off early. The noun is hyphenated in British usage as set-off and often closed up in American accounting as setoff.
What is the past tense of set off?
Set off. Set does not change form, so we set off yesterday and we have set off already are both correct.
What is the meaning of set off?
"set off" (phrasal verb) means to begin a journey or start out towards somewhere.
