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"Set out" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "disponer", and "set off" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "salir". Learn more about the difference between "set out" and "set off" below.
set out(
sehd
aut
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to arrange)
a. disponer
The staff had set out hors d'oeuvres on the various tables in the hall.Los empleados habían dispuesto entremeses en las diversas mesas en el salón.
b. exponer (for viewing)
The antique dealer set out a bunch of original modernist posters.El anticuario expuso una cantidad de carteles modernistas originales.
2. (to state)
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
3. (to leave)
a. proponerse
At first she set out to be a painter, but Helen found that her passion lay with accounting.En un principio se propuso ser pintora, pero Helen encontró que su pasión estaba en la contabilidad.
b. empezar
We set out to create a positive space for teens to spend time.Empezamos a crear un espacio positivo donde puedan pasar su tiempo los adolescentes.
c. tener la intención
Though the government may not have set out to harm the poor, that was what happened.Aunque el gobierno no haya tenido la intención de hacer daño a los pobres, eso fue lo que pasó.
d. pretender
Despite the extra hours we put in, we couldn't complete the task we set out to do.A pesar de las horas extras que trabajamos, no pudimos completar la tarea que pretendíamos hacer.
set off(
sehd
af
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (to depart)
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. desencadenar
The assassination set off a chain of events which led to the declaration of war.El asesinato desencadenó una serie de acontecimientos que llevaron a la declaración de guerra.
b. provocar
When the government reduced the age for conscription, it set off a major rebellion.La decisión del gobierno de reducir la edad del servicio militar obligatorio provocó una gran rebelión.
a. hacer explotar
They'd found an unexploded bomb from WWII. I told them not to touch it as they could set it off.Habían encontrado una bomba sin detonar de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Les dije que no la tocaran; podrían hacerla explotar.
b. hacer estallar
The police received a phone call from a man who said he was about to set off a bomb in the central station.Un hombre llamó a la policía diciendo que estaba por hacer estallar una bomba en la estación central.
c. lanzar (fireworks)
My cousins are going to set off fireworks at the party.Mis primos van a lanzar fuegos artificiales en la fiesta.
4. (to trigger)
a. hacer sonar
Sometimes, just opening the oven door is enough to set off the smoke alarm.A veces basta con abrir la puerta del horno para hacer sonar el detector de humo.
b. activar
The police found the cable the bomber used to set off the timer.La policía encontró el cable que el terrorista utilizó para activar el temporizador.
5. (to enhance)
a. hacer resaltar
The deep blue of the tiles is set off against an ivory background.El fondo marfil hace resaltar el azul intenso de los azulejos.
b. dar realce a
The green in that dress really sets off the color of your eyes.El verde de ese vestido da mucho realce al color de tus ojos.
a. deducir
Her legal costs were set off against the damages she was awarded.Dedujeron las costas del monto que se le adjudicó por daños y perjuicios.
