set ɒf
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- set
- Particle:
- off
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "set off" mean?
- To begin a journey
- To cause something to start or explode
- To trigger a reaction or chain of events
- To make something look more attractive by contrast
Examples
- We set off early in the morning to beat the traffic.
- The fireworks were set off at midnight.
- His comment set off a heated debate.
- That necklace really sets off your eyes.
- The alarm was set off by a faulty sensor.
How to use it
'Set off on' a journey is common. 'Set off' alarms or reactions is typical in security and emotional contexts. As a visual term, it means to enhance by contrast.
Word order
For starting journeys: not separable. For triggering: separable ('set the alarm off' or 'set off the alarm').
Similar expressions
depart
trigger
activate
explode
enhance
Opposites
arrive
deactivate
stop
Related phrasal verbs
- set up
To establish or start something (business, organization, system)
- set out
To start a journey or begin doing something
- set aside
To save or reserve something for a particular purpose
- set back
To delay the progress or development of something
- set down
To put something down carefully
- set in
To begin and seem likely to continue (usually something unpleasant)
Use it in a practice answer
Try "set off" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.