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set off

set off(

)

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.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to depart)

a. salir

A police car set off in pursuit of the robbers.Un carro de policía salió a la caza de los ladrones.

b. partir

In a month's time, I'll be setting off on a trip around the world.Dentro de un mes, voy a partir en un viaje alrededor del mundo.

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.).

transitive verb phrase

2. (to cause to start)

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.

3. (to cause to explode)

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.

6. (to counterbalance)

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.

Examples