set off

To leave; to begin a journey or trip.

He set off in search of better opportunities.

To begin; to cause; to initiate.

I had no idea that one simple comment would set off such a huge argument.

To cause to explode, let off.

What a tragedy, that someone would set off a bomb in a crowded place.

To make angry.

Don't set him off or he won't shut up all day.

To enhance by emphasizing differences.

Her plain white dress was set off by a bright red stole.

To offset, to compensate for: to reduce the effect of, by having a contrary effect.

My taxes did not increase because the amount of my raise was set off by my losses in the stock market.

To deface or soil the next sheet; said of the ink on a freshly printed sheet, when another sheet comes in contact with it before it has had time to dry.