set off in WordNet English dictionary

1. put in motion or move to act
   "trigger a reaction"; "actuate the circuits"
   trip  actuate  trigger  activate  set off  spark off  spark  trigger off  touch off 
   
2. cause to burst with a violent release of energy
   "We exploded the nuclear bomb"
   explode  detonate  blow up  set off 
   
3. direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
   "This dress accentuates your nice figure!"; "I set off these words by brackets"
   bring out  set off 
   
4. make up for
   "His skills offset his opponent's superior strength"
   cancel  offset  set off 
   
5. leave
   "The family took off for Florida"
   depart  part  start  start out  set forth  set off  set out  take off 
   
6. provoke or stir up
   "incite a riot"; "set off great unrest among the people"
   incite  instigate  set off  stir up 
   
7. set in motion or cause to begin
   "The guide set the tour off to a good start"
   set off 
   

set off in English Wiktionary