sets off

Verb

set off (third-person singular simple present sets off, present participle setting off, simple past and past participle set off)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To leave; to set out; to begin a journey or trip.
   • He set off in search of better opportunities.

   Synonyms:

   set forth, take off, 23 skidoo, beat it, bug off, remove, egress, bugger off, book, bounce

2. (idiomatic, transitive) To begin; to cause; to initiate.
   • I had no idea that one simple comment would set off such a huge argument.

   Synonyms:

   bring forth, produce, cause, contrive, create, ferment, forge, develop, engender, evolve

3. (transitive) To cause to begin.
   • When he started giggling, it set us all off too.
4. (idiomatic, transitive) To cause to explode, let off.
   • What a tragedy, that someone would set off a bomb in a crowded place.

   Synonyms:

   blow up, detonate, touch off

5. (idiomatic, transitive) To put into an angry mood; to start (a person) ranting or sulking, etc.
   • Don't set him off or he won't shut up all day.

   Synonyms:

   incense, put out, affront, aggravate, anger, antagonize, awrath, burn up, cheese off, cross

6. (idiomatic, transitive) To enhance by emphasizing differences.
   • Her plain white dress was set off by a bright red stole.

See all 8 meanings of set off