set off

/sˈɛt ˈɒf/

/sˈɛt ˈɔf/

to set off

MAIN VERB

[phrase form: set]

déclencher

to make something operate, especially by accident

Synonymes : activate

se mettre en route

to start a journey

Synonymes : depart

déclencher

to cause a series of events to happen, especially unintendedly

Exemples

1. Check the oil and water before setting off.

2. Taking the bit between his teeth he set off across the plain with greater speed than the bones of his anatomy ever gave any promise of.

3. Every so often, Claire has itchy feet and sets off for a foreign destination.

4. The tree crashed through the conservatory and set off all the alarms, which joined with the sound of the gale to scare me out of my wits.