set off
phrasal verbset off
- to begin a journey
- We set off for London just after ten.
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