English · Daily Life
set off
/set ɒf/
[/set ɒf/]
begin a journey; trigger
Intermediateverb
Definition
To begin a journey, or to cause something to start, such as an alarm.
Example
We set off at dawn to beat the traffic and reached the coast before lunchtime.
We set off at dawn to beat the traffic and reached the coast before lunchtime.
Etymology
From 'set' plus 'off', the departure sense and the triggering sense both old.
How & Where It’s Used
Everyday for starting journeys; also 'set off an alarm' or 'set off fireworks'.