- set off
- 1) decorate through contrast, balance by difference
He painted the trim of his house red in order to set off the light colors.
2) to cause to explodeThe fire set off a large explosion on the ship.
Idioms and examples. 2014.
set off
Look at other dictionaries:
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 — 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 — {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… … Dictionary of American idioms
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… … Dictionary of American idioms
set-off — Offset Off set , n. [Off + set. Cf. {Set off}.] In general, that which is set off, from, before, or against, something; as: [1913 Webster] 1. (Bot.) A short prostrate shoot, which takes root and produces a tuft of leaves, etc. See Illust. of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
set off — verb Date: circa 1598 transitive verb 1. a. to put in relief ; show up by contrast b. adorn, embellish c. to set apart ; make distinct or outstanding 2. a. offset, compensate … New Collegiate Dictionary
To set off — Set Set (s[e^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Set}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Setting}.] [OE. setten, AS. setton; akin to OS. settian, OFries. setta, D. zetten, OHG. sezzen, G. setzen, Icel. setja, Sw. s[ a]tta, Dan. s?tte, Goth. satjan; causative from the root… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
To set off against — Set Set (s[e^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Set}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Setting}.] [OE. setten, AS. setton; akin to OS. settian, OFries. setta, D. zetten, OHG. sezzen, G. setzen, Icel. setja, Sw. s[ a]tta, Dan. s?tte, Goth. satjan; causative from the root… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
To set off — Set Set (s[e^]t), v. i. 1. To pass below the horizon; to go down; to decline; to sink out of sight; to come to an end. [1913 Webster] Ere the weary sun set in the west. Shak. [1913 Webster] Thus this century sets with little mirth, and the next… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Set — (s[e^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Set}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Setting}.] [OE. setten, AS. setton; akin to OS. settian, OFries. setta, D. zetten, OHG. sezzen, G. setzen, Icel. setja, Sw. s[ a]tta, Dan. s?tte, Goth. satjan; causative from the root of E.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Set — (s[e^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Set}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Setting}.] [OE. setten, AS. setton; akin to OS. settian, OFries. setta, D. zetten, OHG. sezzen, G. setzen, Icel. setja, Sw. s[ a]tta, Dan. s?tte, Goth. satjan; causative from the root of E.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
