set something off

Từ điển tiếng Anh - Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

set sth off phrasal verb before or after object [ setting sth off sets sth off ]
 
CAUSE
1. to cause an activity or event, often a series of events, to begin or happen
• The court's initial verdict in the police officers' trial set off serious riots.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Starting and beginning ↑Starting again
2. to cause a loud noise or explosion, such as that made by a bomb or an alarm (= a warning sound) to begin or happen
• Terrorists set off a bomb in the city centre.
• Somebody set the alarm off on my car.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Exploding and erupting
 
MAKE NOTICEABLE
3. to make something look attractive by providing a contrast (= attractive difference) to it
• The new yellow cushions nicely set off the pale green of the chair covers.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Decorating or making something attractive
Main entry: set_{phrasal verb}