set off

¹

verb

1. intr to embark on a journey
2. tr to cause (a person) to act or do something, such as laugh or tell stories
3. tr to cause to explode
4. tr to act as a foil or contrast to, esp so as to improve

   that brooch sets your dress off well

5. tr accounting to cancel a credit on (one account) against a debit on another, both of which are in the name of the same person, enterprise, etc
6. intr to bring a claim by way of setoff

noun

1. anything that serves as a counterbalance
2. anything that serves to contrast with or enhance something else; foil
3. another name for setback See set back
4. a counterbalancing debt or claim offered by a debtor against a creditor
5. a cross claim brought by a debtor that partly offsets the creditor's claim See also counterclaim

set-off

²

noun

1. printing a fault in which ink is transferred from a heavily inked or undried printed sheet to the sheet next to it in a pile Also called (esp Brit)offset

Example Sentences

In the first quarter of next year the one millionth all-electric car will set-off on UK roads, according to Schmidt Automotive Research.

From BBC

As did the Republican minority on his committee, which set-off a series of mocking reactions that utilized the "this you" meme.

From Salon

If those efforts fail, they send the claims to the state tax department’s Set-Off Debt Collection Program.

From Washington Post

The flu-like virus has killed over 130 people in China and has set-off alarm across the globe with companies closing stores, putting travel restrictions on employees and warning of a financial hit from slowing business in the world’s most populous country.

From Reuters

Purists will appreciate that every page of the comics was scanned and enlarged from originals, retaining original printing errors, poor registration and ink set-off that appear in early comics to give a feeling of authenticity.

From Washington Times