set off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Begin a journey
Why “off”? Someone or something leaves a starting point. An action or event can also begin.
“After meeting at the shopping centre cafe, Maya and Leo set off for the first shop on their list.”
“Maya set off for work just after eight.”
“We set off for the coast after breakfast.”
“Maya and Leo set off for the train station early on Saturday.”
Memory hook
You break off from where you are and start moving.
Common mistake
We set off to home at six.
We set off for home at six. / We set off home at six.
Use for before a destination, or nothing before home.
Natural collocations
The word partners “set off” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“After meeting at the shopping centre cafe, Maya and Leo set off for the first shop on their list.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
set out
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin a journey; Begin trying to do something with a clear goal
set up
A contrast learners often mix up
Establish or arrange
blast off
Same off pattern: departure
Launch into the sky with great force
clear off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay a debt completely
dash off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave in a great hurry
drive off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave by car; Force back by attacking
drop off
Same off pattern: departure
Take and leave someone or something at a location; Fall asleep, often unintentionally; Decrease in number, level or amount; Detach and fall away from something
fire off
Same off pattern: departure
Send a message quickly and forcefully
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “set off”.
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