set off
1．decorate through contrast 衬托
The bright colors of the birds were set off by the white snow．白雪的衬托使这些鸟的颜色显得更加鲜艳。
A red flower needs to be set off by green leaves．红花还需绿叶扶持。
2．balance 弥补
Her great wealth，as he thought， set off her plain face．正如他所想的那样，她的巨大财富弥补了她相貌平淡的不足。
You can set the heavy expenses off against a probable increase in sa lary．薪水可能会增加，这样你就能弥补开支的严重不足。
3．start to go 出发
They set off for the West in a wagon．他们乘马车去西部。
Having said farewell to their friends，they set off for home．向朋友们告别后，他们动身回家。
4．cause to begin 引起
A letter from home set off an at tack of homesickness．一封家信一下子唤起了他的思乡之情。
Don't mention Italy；you'll set him off on his holiday adventures again．不要提意大利，这会使他又谈起他度假时的冒险经历。
She had stopped crying but his shouting set her off again．她已止住了哭，可他的叫喊使她又哭了起来。
5．cause to explode 使爆炸
On July 4 we set off firecrackers in many places．7月4日这一天，我们在许多地方燃放爆竹。