set him off

USAGE SUMMARY

"set him off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's reaction or response to something, often in a negative or explosive way. Example: Mary mentioned Tom's ex-girlfriend and it set him off. He began ranting and raving about her, clearly still not over their breakup.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You didn't want to set him off".

The New York Times

Everything and nothing set him off today.

The New York Times - Sports

"Let's not set him off," his father had probably advised.

The New Yorker

Outside stimuli from the passengers really set him off".

The New York Times

"Going somewhere, staying somewhere — anything would set him off," Miguel said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Asked what set him off, Andersen said: "Man, it doesn't matter at this point.

The New York Times - Sports

"None of us wanted to say anything that would set him off".

The New Yorker

"What set him off in particular is that one guy who was talking too much.

The Guardian - Sport

And just the thought of laughter is enough to set him off again.

The Guardian - Arts

The operation seemed to him charged with meaning and set him off on his career.

The Guardian - Books

It set him off on his life's work in revitalising mechanical books.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set him off", consider the intensity of the reaction you want to convey. It often implies a strong, negative response.

Common error

Avoid using "set him off" for mild reactions. This phrase typically suggests a significant outburst or triggered response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set him off" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically an idiomatic one. It describes the action of triggering a reaction in someone. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is commonly used to describe a negative or explosive response. Ludwig's examples show diverse triggers leading to various reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set him off" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrasal verb, primarily used in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for describing a triggered, often negative, reaction. The phrase functions to highlight the cause of someone's outburst or strong emotional response. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informal usage and should be replaced with a more formal alternative like "provoke him" in business and formal settings. As noted by Ludwig, synonyms such as "rile him up", "trigger him", or "push his buttons" offer similar but slightly nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger him

Focuses more directly on the act of causing a reaction, often implying a negative one.

provoke him

Implies a deliberate attempt to elicit a response, potentially negative.

rile him up

Suggests agitating or stirring someone to a state of excitement or anger.

antagonize him

Indicates causing someone to become hostile.

spark him off

Uses "spark" instead of "set" to convey a similar meaning of initiating a reaction.

ignite him

Emphasizes the sudden and intense nature of the reaction.

push his buttons

An idiomatic expression meaning to irritate or provoke someone.

get under his skin

Implies a more subtle but persistent form of irritation that leads to a reaction.

infuriate him

Focuses specifically on causing intense anger.

exasperate him

Suggests frustrating someone to the point of losing patience.

FAQs

What does "set him off" mean?

The phrase "set him off" means to trigger a sudden, often negative, reaction in someone. It implies that something caused the person to become angry, upset, or agitated.

How can I use "set him off" in a sentence?

You can use "set him off" in a sentence like this: "Mentioning his past mistakes would "trigger him" and cause an argument."

What are some synonyms for "set him off"?

Some synonyms for "set him off" include "provoke him", "rile him up", or "push his buttons", all suggesting the act of causing someone to react strongly.

Is it appropriate to use "set him off" in formal writing?

While "set him off" is widely understood, it leans toward informal language. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "provoke him" or "cause him to react negatively" for a more professional tone.