set off

US /set ˈɔːf/
UK /set ˈɔːf/
"set off" picture
1.

to start a journey

:
•
We decided to set off early to avoid traffic.
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They set off on their adventure with great excitement.
:
departembarkleavestart outhead off
2.

to cause something to happen or begin

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The loud noise set off the car alarm.
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His comments set off a heated debate.
:
triggeractivateinitiatesparkprovoke
3.

to make something, especially a bomb, explode

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The engineers carefully set off the old bridge with explosives.
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The fireworks were set off at midnight.
:
detonateexplodeigniteblast
:
settingsetset-toset onset inoffoff and on