set off

Related to set off: set off against

set (someone or something) off

1. To ignite or cause something to explode. Kids in the area have been setting off fireworks all night long. The police set a small bomb off to force the door open.
2. To cause something to begin or occur. The incident set off a series of protests that ultimately resulted in the law being changed. Adding salt to the solution will set off a chain reaction, producing a great amount of heat and light.
3. To trigger or activate something. If you open this door, it will set off the fire alarm. The fire set off the sprinkler system.
4. To make someone very angry or upset. Having his integrity questioned set Jim off like nothing I've seen before. Nothing sets me off more than seeing someone hit a child.
5. To induce someone to lecture or talk about something at length. Don't bring up taxes, or you'll set your father off again. Seeing someone in uniform always sets Jerry off about his time in the military.
6. To reduce, mitigate, or offset something, especially the cost of something. We'll have to pay for the equipment out of pocket, but we can set it off against our tax liability at the end of the year. The financial burden was set off a bit by the grants we received from the city council.
See also: off, set

set off (for some place)

To depart for or begin traveling (to some place). Have an amazing time in Japan! When do you set off? I'm setting off for New York tomorrow to attend a business meeting.
See also: off, set
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

set someone off

 
1. Fig. to cause someone to become very angry; to ignite someone's anger. (Based on set something off {2}.) That kind of thing really sets me off ! Your rude behavior set off Mrs. Franklin.
2. Fig. to cause someone to start talking or lecturing about a particular subject. (Based on set something off .) When I mentioned high taxes it really set Walter off. He talked and talked. The subject set off my uncle, and he talked on endlessly.
See also: off, set

set something off

 
1. Lit. to ignite something, such as fireworks. The boys were setting firecrackers off all afternoon. They set off rocket after rocket.
2. Fig. to cause something to begin. The coach set the race off with a shot from the starting pistol. She set off the race with a whistle.
3. Fig. to make something distinct or outstanding. The lovely stonework sets the fireplace off quite nicely. The white hat really sets off Betsy's eyes.
See also: off, set

set off (for something)

to leave for something or some place. We set off for Springfield three hours late. It was afternoon before we could set off.
See also: off, set
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

set off

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]
See also: off, set
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

set off

v.
1. To give rise to something; cause something to occur: The heat set off a chemical reaction. A branch fell on my car and set the alarm off.
2. To cause something to explode: At midnight, we set off a string of firecrackers. The terrorists were building a bomb and planned to set it off in the train station.
3. To make someone suddenly or demonstrably angry: The clerk's indifference finally set me off. The constant delays set off even the most patient passengers.
4. set off from To indicate someone or something as being different; distinguish someone or something: His strong features set him off from the crowd. Indented margins set off the quotation from the rest of the text.
5. To direct attention to something by contrast; accentuate something: The editor suggested that I set off the passage with italics. The artist set the photograph off with a black background.
6. To counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for something. Used chiefly in the passive: Our dismay at her leaving was set off by our knowing that she was happy.
7. To start on a journey: When do you set off for China? The soldier set off on a mission.
See also: off, set
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (I've) got to take off
  • be off for (something)
  • be off for sth
  • bounce off the walls
  • break off
  • base off (of) (something else)
  • (Now) where was I?
  • check off
  • be well off for (something)
  • be well off for something
References in periodicals archive
Set off of losses of companies operating hotels is subject to sections 56 and 57, where a company registered in Pakistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir, operating hotels in Pakistan of AJ and K, sustains a loss in Pakistan or AJ and K for any tax year under the head of income from business, shall be entitled to have the amount of the loss set off against the company's income in Pakistan or AJ and K, as the case may be, from the tax year 2007 (onward).
Business community call for withdrawing anti-business amendment in IT ordinance
EMERGENCY Joseph Gagnon and Brian Conville before they set off from Canada
Helicopter rescue in ocean row record bid
an account debtor may assert equitable set-off against an assignee of the claim on which he is liable), but may require a close connection between the obligations being set off. (21) Additionally, equitable set-off does not necessarily require that the cross-obligations constitute liquidated debts; unliquidated claims may be the subject of equitable set-off.
Set-off & security interests
United Utilities said a water hydrant was set off by youths, who were trying to cool off in soaring temperatures.
Families left high and dry by vandals
We set them off way deep underground, where what they do is set off volcanos.
A modest proposal: volcanoes
What I find harder to accept is that people set off fireworks a fortnight before and after bonny night.
Bams need a rocket under them
The comic begins by talking about his life back in the UK 22 years ago, and why he decided to set off on the journey in the first place, before he travels to Sydney and sets off up the east coast.
MONDAY'S TV 7.07.14; CHOICE
A GROUP of friends preparing to cycle 1,000 miles for charity raised five times their target in 24 hours after their supplies were stolen as they were about to set off.
Supporters rally round 'Luca' cyclists after van and equipment is stolen in Italy
A plea by the government to set off fewer fireworks to help deal with Beijing's notorious air pollution seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Millions welcome Year of the Snake
Kate Willoughby, who is swimming to raise cash for the fatal childrens' disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which her six-year-old nephew Harrison has, will set off from Baja California Island at dawn on November 21.
Charity swim route around The World islands revealed
Mr Heslehurst set off on April 7 to hand in a 100,000 name petition to 10 Downing Street where he was welcomed 11 days later by, among others, former Langbaurgh MP Lord Bates and London Mayor Boris Johnson.
I'm taking my cause back to London... Dad's campaign over son
The men, from Birmingham and in their fifties, had set off to climb Moel Siabod near Capel Curig on Saturday morning.
Walkers had no map or compass
Kabul, Aug 6 (ANI): A Royal Marine was killed by a 14-year-old Afghanistan boy, who was offered 80 dollars by the Taliban to set off an explosive device, it has emerged.
Taliban promise but don't pay Afghan kid 80-dollars to blow up British marines
The conditions stipulate that fireworks be set off by specialists, and that everyone else, especially minors, are removed from the launching area.
Interior Ministry imposes new fireworks rules