set off
phrasal verbset off
- to begin a journey
- We set off for London just after ten.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
set something off
- to make a bomb, etc. explode
- A gang of boys were setting off fireworks in the street.
- to make an alarm start ringing
- Opening this door will set off the alarm.
- to start a process or series of events
- Panic on the stock market set off a wave of selling.
- to make something more attractive or easy to notice by being placed near it
- That blouse sets off the blue of her eyes.
set somebody off (doing something)
- to make somebody start doing something such as laughing, crying or talking