Skip to Content

English Club : Learn English : Vocabulary
Vocabulary : Phrasal Verbs : S : set off (2)

set off (2)

Meaning: to make something explode or blow up

Synonym: let off, detonate, explode

For example:

  • set off sth Suddenly there was a flash of light and a huge explosion. Someone had set off a bomb.

  • set sth off The Chinese New Year celebrations were really noisy because thousands of people were setting fireworks off.

Nouns often used as objects with
set off (2): bomb, explosives, explosion, grenades, fireworks, fire crackers

Quick Quiz:

The rebel soldiers used mobile phones to set off
  1. ring tones
  2. roadside bombs
  3. wrong numbers