Meaning

• To leave; to begin a journey or trip.

  "He set off in search of better opportunities."

• To begin; to cause; to initiate.

  "I had no idea that one simple comment would set off such a huge argument."

• To cause to explode, let off.

  "What a tragedy, that someone would set off a bomb in a crowded place."

• To make angry.

  "Don't set him off or he won't shut up all day."

• To enhance by emphasizing differences.

  "Her plain white dress was set off by a bright red stole."

• To offset, to compensate for: to reduce the effect of, by having a contrary effect.

  "My taxes did not increase because the amount of my raise was set off by my losses in the stock market."

• To deface or soil the next sheet; said of the ink on a freshly printed sheet, when another sheet comes in contact with it before it has had time to dry.