set off

• Verbe à particule utilisé pour indiquer le début d'un voyage, le déclenchement d'une explosion ou le lancement d'une réaction ou d'un événement.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of beginning a journey, causing something to explode, or triggering a reaction or event.

indénombrable · verbe irrégulier · transitif et intransitif · phrasal, séparable

1. Begin a journeyformal

   To start a trip or journey.

   Se mettre en route

   • They set off for the airport at dawn.
   • We set off on our hike early in the morning.
   • The explorers set off across the desert.

   Synonymesdepartembarkget goinghead offleavesally forthset outstart outstrike outtake off

   Antonymesarrivereturn

2. Cause an explosionformal

   To cause something to explode or ignite.

   Faire exploser / Déclencher une explosion

   • The bomb was set off by a remote control.
   • Fireworks were set off to celebrate the holiday.
   • A spark set off the gas leak.

   Synonymesblastdetonatedischargeexplodeignitelet offsparktouch offtrigger

3. Trigger or initiateformal

   To cause something to start or happen, often suddenly.

   déclencher

   • The news set off a wave of panic.
   • His comments set off a heated debate.
   • The alarm was set off by a mouse.

   Synonymesactivateigniteinitiatelaunchprecipitatepromptprovokesparkstarttrigger

   Antonymesabortceaseendhaltpreventstopterminate

4. Enhance or contrastformal

   To make something more noticeable or attractive by contrast.

   faire ressortir

   • The dark frame sets off the painting beautifully.
   • Her red dress was set off by the green background.
   • The bright colors set off the design perfectly.

   Synonymesaccentuatecomplementenhancehighlightshow off

   Antonymescamouflageconcealdiminishhidemaskobscuresubdue

Verbe de baseset