Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause something to start or begin: To initiate a process, event, or reaction.
   • To cause something to explode: To trigger an explosive device or a sudden, violent release of energy.
   • To make something more noticeable by contrast: To enhance or draw attention to something by placing it next to something different.
   • To compensate for something: To counterbalance or make up for a disadvantage or difference.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To begin a journey: To depart or start traveling to a place.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (transitive):

  • The announcement could set off protests. (It could initiate or provoke protests.)
  • They set off the fireworks at midnight. (They caused the fireworks to explode.)
  • The red frame sets off the painting beautifully. (The frame makes the painting more noticeable by contrast.)
  • Her experience sets off her lack of formal qualifications. (Her experience compensates for her lack of formal qualifications.)

• Verb (intransitive):

  • We will set off for the mountains at dawn. (We will begin our journey to the mountains at dawn.)

Advanced Usage

• "to set off a chain reaction": to cause a series of events where each event causes the next.

  • The policy change set off a chain reaction of economic consequences.

• "to set off alarm bells": to cause concern or warning signals (often figurative).

  • His strange behavior set off alarm bells for his friends.

Variants and Related Words

• Offset (verb): To counterbalance or compensate for.
  • The advantages offset the disadvantages.

Synonyms

• Trigger: To cause something to start, especially a reaction or process.
• Activate: To make something start working.
• Depart: To leave, especially to start a journey.
• Accentuate: To emphasize or make more noticeable.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Set out: Similar to 'set off' in the sense of beginning a journey, but can also mean to start an undertaking or to explain something clearly.

  • They set out on a long voyage.
  • He set out his reasons for resigning.

• Set in motion: To start a process.

  • The new law set the reforms in motion.

Related Idioms

• Set the wheels in motion: To start a process.
  • She set the wheels in motion for the project's approval.

Verb

1. provoke or stir up
   • incite a riot
   • set off great unrest among the people
2. set in motion or cause to begin
   • The guide set the tour off to a good start
3. make up for
   • His skills offset his opponent's superior strength
4. cause to burst with a violent release of energy
   • We exploded the nuclear bomb
5. direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
   • This dress accentuates your nice figure!
   • I set off these words by brackets
6. leave
   • The family took off for Florida
7. put in motion or move to act
   • trigger a reaction
   • actuate the circuits