SET OFF

а. отправляться (в путь); He set off for work an hour ago. Having missed the last bus, we had to set off walking. б. намереваться (делать что-л.) I set off to make the work by myself, but in the end I had to ask for help. в. уравновешивать; компенсировать; засчитывать (денежную сумму) Some of your debts can be set off by other money owing to you. At least there are good restaurants in this city to set off the disadvantages of the weather. г. выделять(ся); оттенять, выгодно подчеркивать; the frame sets off the picture картина в этой раме выигрывает; The black cloth sets off the jewels nicely. д. отделять; выделять, отмечать Spoken words are set off from the rest of the sentence by speech marks. е. взрывать Terrorists have been setting off bombs in Underground trains. ж. побуждать (к чему-л., к какому-л. действию); вызывать (что-л.) to set off laughing рассмешить The politician's speech set off violence in the crowd. з. собир. 'завести' (кого-л.) One amusing remark was enough to set the crowd off.