1. decorate through contrast 襯託
The bright colors of the birds were set off by the white snow. 白雪的襯託使這些鳥的顏色顯得更加鮮豔。
A red flower needs to be set off by green leaves. 紅花還需綠葉扶持。
2. balance 彌補
Her great wealth,as he thought, set off her plain face. 正如他所想的那樣,她的巨大財富彌補了她相貌平淡的不足。
You can set the heavy expenses off against a probable increase in sa lary. 薪水可能會增加,這樣你就能彌補開支的嚴重不足。
3. start to go 出發
They set off for the West in a wagon. 他們乘馬車去西部。
Having said farewell to their friends,they set off for home. 向朋友們告別後,他們動身回家。
4. cause to begin 引起
A letter from home set off an at tack of homesickness. 一封家信一下子喚起了他的思鄉之情。
Don't mention Italy;you'll set him off on his holiday adventures again. 不要提意大利,這會使他又談起他度假時的冒險經歷。
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來。
5. cause to explode 使爆炸
On July 4 we set off firecrackers in many places. 7月4日這一天,我們在許多地方燃放爆竹。