set off
B1Neutral (used in both informal and formal contexts depending on the sense).
Definition
Meaning
To start a journey; to cause something to start or begin; to make something explode or activate.
To cause something to happen; to make something look attractive by providing a contrast; to counterbalance or offset something in accounting; to activate an alarm or similar device.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Set off" is a phrasal verb with a wide range of meanings clustered around the concepts of starting, causing, and contrasting. The specific meaning is highly dependent on its object and context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meanings. The sense "to counterbalance/offset" is more common in financial contexts (set off a loss against profits). The sense "to cause to explode" is equally common. Spelling: 'journey' is more common than 'trip' in UK examples.
Connotations
Generally neutral. The 'cause to happen' sense can have negative connotations (e.g., set off a reaction, set off an argument).
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties. The 'start a journey' sense is extremely common in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + set off + [for/to + place] (journey)[Subject] + set off + [Object] (cause/activate)[Subject] + set off + [Object] + against [Object] (counterbalance)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set off on the right/wrong foot (less common variant of 'start off')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in finance: 'to set off a loss against taxable income.'
Academic
Used in sciences/social sciences: 'The discovery set off a wave of new research.'
Everyday
Very common: 'What time did you set off?' 'The loud noise set off the dogs.'
Technical
In engineering/security: 'The pressure sensor set off the emergency shutdown.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We'll set off at dawn to avoid the traffic.
- The remark set off a furious row.
- They set off the firework display at midnight.
American English
- Let's set off for the beach around nine.
- Sneezing in the library set off the motion alarm.
- The company set off its expenses against its revenue.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not typically used as an adjective)
American English
- (Not typically used as an adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We set off early in the morning.
- The loud bang set off the car alarm.
- They set off on a trip around Europe.
- Be careful not to set off the smoke detector.
- His resignation set off a wave of speculation in the media.
- The blue cushion is set off beautifully by the yellow sofa.
- Investors were allowed to set off the capital losses against future gains.
- A single spark set off a conflagration that destroyed the old warehouse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a rocket being SET on a launch pad and then it goes OFF into space. It SETS OFF. This combines the ideas of being placed (set) and beginning/exploding (off).
Conceptual Metaphor
CAUSATION IS A TRIGGER (set off a reaction); BEGINNING A PROCESS IS BEGINNING A JOURNEY (set off for work).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "to install" (устанавливать).
- "Set off" for a journey is closer to "отправляться/трогаться в путь" than "ставить".
- The financial sense "offset" has no direct single-word equivalent and is often translated as "зачитывать" or "компенсировать".
Common Mistakes
- *I set off the TV. (Incorrect; use 'turn on' or 'switch on'.)
- *We set off to go to London. (Redundant; 'We set off for London' is correct.)
- Confusing 'set off' with 'set out' (largely synonymous for journeys, but 'set out' can also mean 'to explain' or 'arrange').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'set off' to mean 'to begin a journey'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For starting a journey, they are often interchangeable. However, 'set out' has additional meanings like 'to explain in detail' or 'to arrange items'. 'Set off' has unique meanings like 'to cause to explode' or 'to offset financially'.
Yes. While often neutral or negative (set off an alarm), it can be positive: 'The flowers set off the room beautifully' (enhance by contrast) or 'We set off on our adventure' (excited beginning).
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb when it has an object meaning 'to cause/activate'. E.g., 'She set the alarm off' OR 'She set off the alarm'. For the journey sense, it is intransitive (no object).
Look at the object and context. If the object is a journey/destination ('for London'), it's about travel. If it's a device or event ('alarm', 'reaction'), it's about causing. If it's a visual element ('dress', 'painting'), it's about contrast. If it's financial ('debt', 'loss'), it's about offsetting.