set off

partir, se mettre en route

Quitter un lieu pour commencer un voyage.

En anglais simple : To leave a place and begin a journey.

• We set off at six.
• She set off for Paris yesterday.
• Shall we set off before the roads get busy?

Comment l'utiliser : set off for somewhere (We set off for the coast before sunrise.); set off on something (They set off on a three-day hike.)

Synonymes : set out, leave, depart

Contraires : arrive

Expressions courantes : set off early, set off for London, set off on foot

déclencher, provoquer

Faire commencer un événement, un processus ou une réaction.

En anglais simple : To cause an event, process, or reaction to start.

• The smoke set off the alarm.
• His remark set off a long argument.
• Could this decision set off another financial crisis?

Comment l'utiliser : set off something (The announcement set off a wave of protests.); set something off (The smoke set it off.)

Synonymes : trigger, cause, start

Expressions courantes : set off an alarm, set off a reaction, set off an argument

faire exploser, déclencher

Faire exploser une bombe, un feu d’artifice ou un objet semblable.

En anglais simple : To make a bomb, firework, or similar object explode.

• They set off some fireworks.
• The soldiers set off the explosive charge from a safe distance.
• Who set off that firework outside our window?

Comment l'utiliser : set off something (They set off fireworks beside the river.); set something off (A timer was used to set it off.)

Synonymes : detonate, explode, let off

Expressions courantes : set off fireworks, set off a bomb, set off explosives

faire commencer, déclencher

Faire soudainement commencer quelqu’un à rire, pleurer, parler ou faire quelque chose de semblable.

En anglais simple : To make someone suddenly begin laughing, crying, talking, or doing something similar.

• That joke set us all off.
• Her message set him off crying again.
• The dust set me off sneezing for several minutes.

Comment l'utiliser : set someone off doing something (His silly hat set us all off laughing.); set someone off (That sad song always sets me off.)

Synonymes : start someone off

Expressions courantes : set someone off, set off laughing

énerver, mettre en colère

Mettre quelqu’un en colère, souvent au point de le faire râler ou crier.

En anglais simple : To make someone angry, often causing them to complain or shout.

• That comment set her off.
• Mentioning the bill will set Dad off again.
• What set him off this time?

Comment l'utiliser : set someone off (Even a small complaint can set him off.)

Synonymes : anger, provoke, infuriate

Contraires : calm, soothe

Expressions courantes : set someone off, set off your boss

mettre en valeur, rehausser

Rendre quelque chose plus beau ou plus visible grâce à un élément différent placé à côté ou autour.

En anglais simple : To make something look more attractive or noticeable by placing something different beside or around it.

• That scarf sets off your eyes.
• White cushions set off the dark sofa.
• The necklace was beautifully set off by her simple black dress.

Comment l'utiliser : set off something (The dark frame sets off the pale painting.); be set off by something (Her green eyes were set off by her red hair.)

Synonymes : enhance, complement, highlight

Expressions courantes : set off your eyes, set off a dress, set something off