set\ off

set\ off
v
1. To decorate through contrast; balance by difference.

The bright colors of the birds were set off by the white snow.

A small gold pin set off her plain dark dress.

2. To balance; make somewhat equal.

Her great wealth, as he thought, set off her plain face.

3a. To begin to go.

They set off for the West in a covered wagon.

Compare: set out
3b. To cause to begin.

A letter from home set off an attack of homesickness.

An atomic explosion is created by setting off a chain reaction in the atom.

Compare: touch off
3c. To cause to explode.

On July 4 we set off firecrackers in many places.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Set-off — n. [Set + off.] 1. That which is set off against another thing; an offset. [1913 Webster] I do not contemplate such a heroine as a set off to the many sins imputed to me as committed against woman. D. Jerrold. [1913 Webster] 2. That which is use …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • set off — vt: to reduce or discharge by set off: offset Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. set off …   Law dictionary

  • Set-off — can refer to the following:* Set off (law), the reduction of a claim by deducting the amount of a valid countervailing claim* Set off (architecture), the horizontal line shown on a floorplan indicating a reduced wall thickness, and consequently… …   Wikipedia

  • set–off — / set ˌȯf/ n 1: the reduction or discharge of a debt by setting against it a claim in favor of the debtor; specif: the reduction or discharge of a party s debt or claim by an assertion of another claim arising out of another transaction or cause …   Law dictionary

  • set|off — «SEHT F, OF», noun. 1. a thing used to set off or adorn; ornament; decoration. SYNONYM(S): trimming. 2. something that counterbalances or makes up for something else; compensation; offset. 3. a) …   Useful english dictionary

  • set off — ► set off 1) begin a journey. 2) cause (a bomb or alarm) to go off. 3) serve as decorative embellishment to. Main Entry: ↑set …   English terms dictionary

  • set-off — setˈ off noun 1. A claim set against another 2. A crossclaim which partly offsets the original claim 3. A counterbalance 4. An ornament 5. A contrast, foil 6. A setting forth 7. An offset (architecture and printing) • • • …   Useful english dictionary

  • set-off — the ability to discharge or reduce a debt by applying a counter claim between the same parties. For example, a bank which has lent money to a debtor may attempt to satisfy some or all of the loan by seizing the debtor s deposits at the bank… …   Glossary of Bankruptcy

  • set off — verb 1. put in motion or move to act (Freq. 4) trigger a reaction actuate the circuits • Syn: ↑trip, ↑actuate, ↑trigger, ↑activate, ↑spark off, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • set off — Synonyms and related words: actuate, adjoin, adorn, allocate, allot, analogize, analyze, anatomize, appoint, appropriate to, array, assign, assign to, assimilate, atomize, atone for, backfire, balance, be at cross purposes, be off, be opposed to …   Moby Thesaurus

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